is relatively brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is relatively brief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is shorter in length or duration compared to other things, often in a comparative context. Example: "The report is relatively brief, making it easier for the team to review quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Copulation is relatively brief in cetaceans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New Zealand's record by comparison is relatively brief.

The Guardian - Film

The history of local lawns is relatively brief.

The New York Times

The time they spend in a classroom teaching students is relatively brief — often just two weeks.

The New York Times

Spring is relatively brief, and the temperature rises rapidly during late April.

Britannica

In quasi-dialogue form, it is relatively brief, consisting of 700 verses divided into 18 chapters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It was relatively brief and to the point".

The New York Times

In any event Balanchine's family life was relatively brief.

The New York Times

That trip, which became a nail-biter, was supposed to be relatively brief.

The New York Times - Books

You have to be relatively brief — half an hour is the limit.

The New Yorker

But their romantic relationship had been relatively brief — assuming it hadn't begun as an affair.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is relatively brief", consider what you are comparing it to. Providing a point of reference will enhance clarity and understanding for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively brief" in isolation. Without a clear point of comparison, the phrase becomes vague and less informative. Always ensure the reader understands what you are comparing the subject to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively brief" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is shorter in duration, length, or extent than some implicit or explicit comparison point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is relatively brief" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something as shorter or less extensive compared to a standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. It serves to provide context and manage expectations, indicating conciseness or efficiency. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial: provide a clear point of comparison to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "is fairly short" or "is quite short" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fairly short

Replaces "relatively" with "fairly" and "brief" with "short", maintaining a similar degree of brevity.

is quite short

Substitutes "relatively" with "quite", emphasizing the shortness in a slightly more direct way.

is comparatively short

Replaces "relatively" with "comparatively", focusing on the comparison aspect of the brevity.

is somewhat concise

Uses "concise" instead of "brief", implying a degree of terseness in addition to shortness.

is rather short

Employs "rather" instead of "relatively", conveying a slightly more informal tone.

is not very long

Expresses brevity by negating length, offering a more descriptive alternative.

is of short duration

Focuses specifically on the temporal aspect of being brief, emphasizing the limited time involved.

is limited in length

Highlights the restricted physical or abstract length, suitable for contexts beyond just time.

is not extensive

Emphasizes the lack of comprehensiveness or thoroughness, suggesting brevity in coverage or scope.

is quickly over

Focuses on the fast completion or termination of something, highlighting its swiftness.

FAQs

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

Use "is relatively brief" to describe something that has a shorter duration or length compared to something else. For example, "The training course "is relatively brief", lasting only two days".

What are some alternatives to "is relatively brief"?

You can use alternatives like "is fairly short", "is quite short", or "is comparatively short" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is relatively brief"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something is shorter or less extensive than what is typical or expected. For instance, "The presentation "is relatively brief", so we need to focus on the key points."

Is there a difference between "is relatively brief" and "is very brief"?

Yes, "is relatively brief" implies a comparison to something else, suggesting it's shorter than average or expected. "Is very brief" simply means it is extremely short, without necessarily making a comparison. Consider, "While the meeting was expected to be long, it "is relatively brief"" versus "The email was "is very brief" and contained only essential information".