spoke briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spoke briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who communicated in a concise manner, often in a speech or conversation. Example: "During the meeting, she spoke briefly about the project's progress before moving on to other topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They smiled and spoke briefly.

The New York Times - Sports

Robinson spoke briefly and succinctly.

The New York Times - Sports

Santos spoke briefly.

The New York Times

Mr. Stern spoke briefly.

The New York Times - Arts

McGovern spoke briefly.

The New Yorker

A minister spoke briefly.

The New York Times - Science

Burress also spoke briefly to several players.

The New York Times - Sports

"I spoke briefly to David.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She spoke briefly through an interpreter.

The New York Times - Health

Jagger spoke briefly, and not uncharmingly.

The New Yorker

The composers spoke briefly about their music.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoke briefly" to indicate that someone made a short statement or had a concise conversation, avoiding unnecessary details or elaboration. This can emphasize the efficiency and directness of the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "spoke briefly" excessively in formal documents, where more precise verbs like "stated", "mentioned", or "summarized" might be more appropriate to convey the specific nature of the communication. Overuse can make the writing seem vague or less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoke briefly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a concise act of speaking. It describes the manner in which someone communicated, emphasizing the brevity of their speech. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spoke briefly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a short, concise communication. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with occasional use in academic and business settings. While versatile, it's best to choose more formal synonyms like "stated concisely" or "addressed shortly" for academic writing. The expert rating reflects its correctness and reliability. Remember to use it judiciously to convey conciseness and avoid overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarked briefly

Keeps "briefly" but changes "spoke" to "remarked", indicating a short observation or comment.

expressed briefly

Substitutes "spoke" with "expressed", focusing on the short expression of an idea or feeling.

addressed shortly

Replaces "spoke" with "addressed" and "briefly" with "shortly", emphasizing the act of addressing in a concise manner.

commented succinctly

Substitutes "spoke" with "commented" and "briefly" with "succinctly", highlighting the conciseness of the comment.

mentioned quickly

Replaces "spoke" with "mentioned" and "briefly" with "quickly", focusing on the act of mentioning something rapidly.

stated concisely

Substitutes "spoke" with "stated" and "briefly" with "concisely", emphasizing the clear and brief nature of the statement.

talked concisely

Changes "spoke" to "talked" emphasizing clarity and brevity in the conversation.

conversed shortly

Replaces "spoke" with "conversed" and "briefly" with "shortly", suggesting a brief exchange of words.

related concisely

Changes "spoke" to "related" emphasizing a short and clear account.

articulated shortly

Replaces "spoke" with "articulated" and "briefly" with "shortly", suggesting a concise and clear expression.

FAQs

How can I use "spoke briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "spoke briefly" to describe a concise communication. For instance, "The president "spoke briefly" about the new policy" or "The witness "spoke briefly" about the incident".

What are some alternatives to "spoke briefly"?

Alternatives include "addressed shortly", "commented succinctly", or "mentioned quickly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "spoke briefly" in academic writing?

While "spoke briefly" is grammatically correct, more formal alternatives like "stated concisely" or "articulated shortly" may be preferred in academic contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "spoke briefly" and "talked at length"?

"Spoke briefly" indicates a short and concise communication, while "talked at length" implies a prolonged and detailed conversation. They are near antonyms, representing opposite ends of the communication spectrum.