keep it brief

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep it brief" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to let someone know that they should limit the length or amount of time they are speaking or writing on a topic. For example, "Please, keep your presentation brief - I only have 15 minutes for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep it brief.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Keep it brief Don't panic!

Independent

Keep it brief and interesting.

University of California, Berkeley

Keep it brief and simple.

Stanford University

So I'll keep it brief.

The Guardian

Keep it brief and relevant.

The Guardian

Keep it brief and family-friendly.

The New York Times

This also means keep it brief.

Harvard Business Review

Keep it brief and expect to be interrupted with questions.

University of California, Berkeley

Keep it brief, spotlighting your most relevant education and training.

The Guardian

This will keep it brief and 2008-y.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or feedback, use "keep it brief" to encourage conciseness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid adding excessive explanations after instructing someone to "keep it brief". Trust that the recipient understands the request for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it brief" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to be concise and avoid unnecessary details. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is both correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep it brief" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to encourage conciseness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is direct instruction. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase serves to manage time constraints and improve communication efficiency. Remember that, while generally neutral, the phrase's directness may require careful consideration depending on the formality of the situation. When using this phrase, avoid over-explaining afterward, trusting that the recipient understands the request for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be concise

Focuses on the quality of being short and to the point, omitting unnecessary details.

make it short

Directly addresses the length of something, urging for brevity.

get to the point

Emphasizes directness and avoiding unnecessary preamble.

cut to the chase

A more informal way of saying "get to the point", suggesting skipping less important parts.

summarize

Focuses on providing a shortened version of something, highlighting key aspects.

be succinct

Highlights the importance of expressing something clearly in few words.

shorten it

A simple and direct instruction to make something shorter.

streamline it

Suggests removing unnecessary elements to improve efficiency and reduce length.

condense it

Emphasizes the act of reducing something in size or volume.

abridge

Specifically means to shorten something while retaining its essence.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep it brief" as a polite way to ask someone to be concise, such as in the sentence "Please, "keep it brief" during the presentation".

What does "keep it brief" mean?

"Keep it brief" means to be concise and to avoid unnecessary details.

What can I say instead of "keep it brief"?

You can use alternatives like "be concise", "get to the point", or "make it short" depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "keep it brief"?

While direct, "keep it brief" can be perceived as impolite if not used carefully. Framing it as a request or explaining the need for brevity can help soften the tone.