in brief

USAGE SUMMARY

"in brief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to summarize a point or to introduce a brief explanation. For example: In brief, the proposed change to the policy will have a positive impact on the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That story, in brief.

The New York Times

Steve Hill Oxford In brief.

Independent

In brief, no.

Nature

In brief, yes.

The Washington Post

In brief, numbers matter".

The New York Times

News in brief.

The Guardian

And the answer, in brief, is none.

The New York Times

His answer, in brief, was yes.

The New York Times

This, in brief, is why I.B.M. faltered.

The New Yorker

In brief, certain sounds were made.

The New Yorker

Books in Brief: Nonfiction; What?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in brief" in formal writing, ensure the tone remains professional and avoids overly casual language in the subsequent summary.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "in brief". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and lack nuance. Vary your introductory phrases for better flow.

How to use

Learn how to use "in brief" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in brief" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It serves to modify a clause or sentence by indicating that what follows is a concise summary or explanation. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to introduce succinct information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in brief" is a versatile tool for signaling conciseness in writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase, it effectively introduces summaries in news, science, and business communications. While highly prevalent, varying your introductory phrases can enhance writing style. When aiming for brevity, "in brief" is a reliable choice, offering clarity without unnecessary detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In summary

Focuses on presenting a condensed version of preceding information.

To summarize

Emphasizes the act of condensing information.

In short

Similar to "in brief" but can sometimes imply abruptness.

Briefly

Highlights the conciseness of the explanation or statement.

In essence

Captures the fundamental nature or core meaning.

In a nutshell

Offers a concise explanation, often used informally.

To put it briefly

Directly indicates the intention to be concise.

In a word

Reduces the explanation to a single key term.

Concisely

Emphasizes the succinctness of the communication.

To be concise

Highlights the intention to avoid unnecessary detail.

FAQs

How can I use "in brief" in a sentence?

You can use "in brief" to introduce a concise summary of a longer explanation, like this: "The study examined several factors; "in brief", it found a strong correlation between exercise and mental health".

What are some alternatives to saying "in brief"?

Alternatives include "in summary", "to summarize", or "in short". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "in brief" or "in short"?

Both "in brief" and "in short" are similar, but "in brief" is often perceived as slightly more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing, while "in short" might be used in more casual contexts.

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

"In brief" is a phrase used to introduce a summary, while "briefly" is an adverb that describes how something is done. For example, you might say, "Briefly, the results showed..." or "In brief, the study confirmed previous findings".