kept it brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept it brief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has communicated information concisely or without unnecessary detail. Example: "During the meeting, she kept it brief, summarizing the key points in just a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Thankfully, she kept it brief.

The New York Times

Djokovic, shattered, kept it brief too.

The Guardian - Sport

So we kept it brief," Taffe says.

The Guardian - Music

A member of the Taliban came to question us, but kept it brief.

The New York Times

I kept it brief: "Sometimes, a patient or family and doctor aren't compatible.... Therefore, I will be dismissing you from my practice".

The New York Times - Health

Asked for comment, RNC communications director Doug Heye kept it brief, choosing to pass on a chance to blast the anonymity that Steele's critics took when expressing their displeasure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In general, though, it was a day for keeping it brief, and nobody kept it briefer than Serena Williams, the winner of the last four Grand Slam singles titles.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep it brief Don't panic!

Independent

Keep it brief and relevant.

The Guardian

This will keep it brief and 2008-y.

The New Yorker

So I'll keep it brief.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept it brief" when you want to emphasize that someone was concise and avoided unnecessary details in their communication. This phrase is suitable for describing speeches, reports, or conversations.

Common error

While "kept it brief" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "was succinct" or "presented a concise summary" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept it brief" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that someone or something was concise and to the point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression. The phrase describes the manner in which information was conveyed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept it brief" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that means someone communicated information concisely. As indicated by Ludwig, it is acceptable in a wide range of contexts, with a slightly higher prevalence in News & Media. If you're looking for alternatives, you might consider "made it concise" or "was succinct". While versatile, be mindful of using it too frequently in formal writing. The phrase effectively conveys that someone avoided unnecessary detail, contributing to clarity and efficiency in communication. This has been verified by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made it concise

Focuses on the act of making something concise.

Kept it short

Similar meaning, emphasizing brevity.

Was succinct

Highlights the quality of being expressed briefly and clearly.

Stated briefly

Focuses on the manner of stating something.

Expressed concisely

Highlights the act of expressing something in a concise manner.

Got to the point quickly

Emphasizes the speed of reaching the main idea.

Cut to the chase

An idiom indicating the avoidance of unnecessary preamble.

Summarized efficiently

Highlights the efficient summarization of information.

Got straight to the point

Similar to 'cut to the chase', focusing on directness.

Avoided long explanations

Emphasizes the avoidance of lengthy explanations.

FAQs

What does "kept it brief" mean?

The phrase "kept it brief" means that someone communicated information concisely and without unnecessary details or elaborations.

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

You can use "kept it brief" to describe someone who was concise in their communication. For example, "The presenter "kept it brief", focusing only on the key points."

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

You can use alternatives like "made it concise", "kept it short", or "was succinct" depending on the context.

Is "keep it brief" or "kept it brief" more appropriate?

"Keep it brief" is an imperative or a request, while "kept it brief" describes a past action. Use "keep it brief" when instructing someone to be concise and "kept it brief" when describing someone who has already been concise.