rather brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is concise or not lengthy, often in reference to a statement, explanation, or piece of writing. Example: "The report was rather brief, summarizing the key points in just a few paragraphs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was rather brief," Mr. McCain said with a chuckle.

The New York Times

Oracular Chinese is known only from rather brief oracle inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That said, it seems a rather brief appearance for an actor who plays villains so well.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And one rather brief acute remark could set you back on your heels".

The New Yorker

Mr. Romney should not be faulted for focusing on a rather brief period in the relationship between our two countries.

The New York Times

Here's Villa's (rather brief) statement: "James Milner trained with the rest of the Villa squad today at Bodymoor Heath.

The Guardian - Sport

Until the mid-1970s, the Plastic People performed semi-legally, ostensibly illustrating (rather brief) lectures on music by their Svengali, the poet Ivan Jirous.

The Economist

It is, instead, an earnest but never maudlin attempt to look closely at a potent and magical and rather brief era, now gone.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It may prove rather too brief.

The Economist

Rather, in brief remarks under a scorching sun outside an airplane hangar, Mr. Thompson sought to explain himself.

The New York Times

Those are Senator Kennedy's conflicts of interest or, rather, a brief excerpt from a long list compiled by the Centre for Responsive Politics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather brief" to politely indicate that something could be more detailed or longer without being overly critical. For example, "The explanation was "rather brief", perhaps further details could be added."

Common error

While acceptable, relying too much on "rather brief" in formal reports or academic papers can make your writing sound less precise. Opt for more specific terms like "concise", "abridged", or "succinct" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather brief" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun by indicating the degree of its shortness or conciseness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather brief" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something as being shorter or more concise than expected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It is often used in news and media, scientific writing and encyclopedias. When writing, consider whether a more specific alternative might better convey your intended meaning. While acceptable in most contexts, be mindful of overusing it, especially in formal writing, and consider more precise alternatives when available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat short

Replaces "brief" with "short", a common synonym, and "rather" with "somewhat", indicating a slight degree.

fairly concise

Substitutes "brief" with "concise", emphasizing succinctness, and "rather" with "fairly", implying a reasonable degree.

relatively short

Uses "relatively" instead of "rather", suggesting the brevity is in comparison to something else.

moderately short

Employs "moderately" to soften the intensity of the brevity, implying not extremely short.

quite short

Replaces "rather" with "quite", another adverb of degree indicating a similar level of brevity.

a bit short

More informal, using "a bit" to express the brevity in a less formal way.

slightly short

Indicates a minor degree of shortness, less intense than "rather brief".

somewhat limited

Focuses on the limited nature of something, akin to being brief in scope or duration.

rather limited

Keeps "rather" but substitutes "brief" with "limited", changing the focus slightly to restriction.

comparatively brief

Highlights the brevity through comparison, similar to "relatively short".

FAQs

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

You can use "rather brief" to describe something that is short or concise. For example, "The meeting was "rather brief", lasting only 15 minutes", or "Her summary of the book was "rather brief", covering only the main plot points".

What are some alternatives to "rather brief"?

Alternatives to "rather brief" include "somewhat short", "fairly concise", or "relatively short", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rather brief" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather brief" is acceptable in formal writing, but it's best to consider whether a more precise term like "concise", "succinct", or "abridged" might be more appropriate.

What does "rather brief" imply about the subject being described?

"Rather brief" implies that something is shorter than expected or ideal, but not necessarily critically short. It carries a slightly understated tone.