it was very brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was very brief' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the length of a conversation or other event. For example, "We had a meeting about the upcoming project, but it was very brief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was very brief.

The Guardian - Music

There was one contact and it was very brief.

The Guardian - Sport

We did, I think, talk about the sanctions that Congress wants to pass, but it was very brief.

The New York Times

"When we met, it was very brief, and I gave her the number where I would be working".

The New York Times - Style

It was very brief – no more than 10 minutes in a meeting room at Zentropa [Von Trier's film company].

The Guardian - Film

It was very brief and over before we met, but these letters were never for my eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's very brief, minimal".

The New York Times

Do not memorize, unless it's very brief.

Harvard Business Review

"But it's very brief and the money offer's only 40,000 bucks!

The Guardian - Film

It's very brief, and the change is very slight, and if you miss it, you're screwed.

The New Yorker

It is very brief and consists of a telegram sent by the German Police referring to officials of the diplomatic service, attach6s, diplomatic couriers, consuls, et cetera.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or interactions, use "it was very brief" to clearly convey the concise nature of the occurrence without unnecessary embellishment.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very brief" as a standalone statement without providing context. Instead, follow it with a clarifying phrase or clause to specify what "it" refers to and why its brevity is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it was very brief" is as a descriptive phrase, specifically functioning as a predicate adjective. The phrase modifies and describes the subject (it) by attributing the characteristic of being of short duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase can be used to describe the length of conversation or other event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very brief" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe something of short duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a variety of contexts and describes the length of the meeting. It is most commonly found in news and media, and in science, but can be used in more academic or formal contexts as well. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing adequate context to what the "it" refers to, thus avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite short

Replaces "very brief" with a synonym "short" and "quite" to soften the assessment.

it was momentary

Highlights the fleeting nature using the word "momentary".

it was fleeting

Describes the experience as quickly passing.

it was a short time

Emphasizes the temporal aspect using "short time" instead of "brief".

it was a matter of seconds

Specifies the brevity with a more precise timeframe.

it was a quick meeting

Specifies the context as a meeting and uses "quick" to denote brevity.

it didn't take long

Uses a negative construction to convey the brevity, focusing on the time aspect.

it was concise

Focuses on the efficient and succinct quality of the event or communication.

it was a flash in the pan

Employs an idiomatic expression to suggest something that occurred suddenly and faded quickly.

it was to the point

Emphasizes the directness and lack of unnecessary details.

FAQs

What does "it was very brief" mean?

The phrase "it was very brief" indicates that something happened or lasted for only a short amount of time. It emphasizes the concise or fleeting nature of an event, conversation, or interaction.

How can I use "it was very brief" in a sentence?

You can use "it was very brief" to describe the duration of an event. For example, "The meeting was scheduled for an hour, but "it was very brief", lasting only 15 minutes."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was very brief"?

Alternatives to "it was very brief" include "it was quite short", "it was momentary", or "it didn't take long", depending on the context.

Is "it was brief" the same as "it was very brief"?

While both phrases convey a short duration, "it was very brief" emphasizes the shortness more strongly than just "it was brief". The addition of "very" intensifies the description.