for brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for brief" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to mean "briefly" or "for a brief time," but as it stands, it does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "Please summarize the report for brief." (This should be "Please summarize the report briefly.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For brief snatches James could play along.

The New York Times

41 authorize surveillance only for brief periods.

Cornell University

Used to ask for brief usage information.

Stanford University

Except for brief periods, they have ruled ever since.

The Washington Post

Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt came for brief respites.

The New York Times

For brief periods the overall outcome seemed nailbitingly close.

The Guardian

Today, we are too liberalized for Brief Encounter.

The Guardian - Film

Twice before, the government has shut Kambora for brief periods.

The New York Times

Here Jerome lived, except for brief journeys, until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Brief for Respondents 24-27; BrieforoRespondentsts on Reargument 6.

Cornell University

Brief for Respondent 6-7; Brieforor United States 13-14, 18.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, use adverbs like "briefly" or idiomatic expressions like "in brief" instead of the ungrammatical "for brief".

Common error

Avoid using "for" directly before adjectives describing duration or length without an article. Using "for brief" sounds incomplete; instead, use "for a brief time" or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for brief" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. Standard English requires an article before the adjective "brief" in this construction, as Ludwig AI points out.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for brief" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks the necessary article before the adjective "brief". To express the intended meaning of a short duration or concise manner, use alternatives such as "for a brief time", "briefly", or "in brief". Pay attention to grammatical correctness to ensure clear and effective communication, and avoid using "for brief" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly

Adverb form of "brief", directly addressing the grammatical issue.

for a brief time

Adds the article 'a' to correct the grammar and clarify the intended meaning.

in brief

Uses a common idiom to indicate conciseness.

for a short period

Substitutes "brief" with "short" and corrects grammar using article 'a'.

for a little while

Informal phrase emphasizing a short duration.

momentarily

Adverb indicating something lasting only a moment.

fleetingly

Suggests something that passes quickly and is not sustained.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transient nature of something.

in a nutshell

Idiom emphasizing the delivery of information very concisely.

concisely

Focuses on expressing something in few words.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "for brief"?

Since "for brief" is not grammatically correct, alternatives include "briefly", "for a brief time", or "in brief" depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use the word "brief" correctly in a sentence?

Use "brief" as an adjective with a noun (e.g., "a brief summary") or use the adverb form "briefly" to modify a verb (e.g., "summarize briefly").

Is "for brief" grammatically correct?

No, "for brief" is not grammatically correct. It's missing an article and doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. It should be rewritten as "for a brief time" or similar.

What's the difference between "for brief" and "briefly"?

"For brief" is ungrammatical. "Briefly" is an adverb meaning "in a concise manner" and is the correct way to express the concept.