strive for brevity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive for brevity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to be concise or to keep their communication short and to the point. Example: "In your presentations, remember to strive for brevity to keep your audience engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Stylistically they strive for brevity and froth, shirking from stories that demand depth or deliberation, stories that might rattle a few cages and raise a little hell and ultimately change some poor citizen's life for the better," he complains about the kinds of newspapers that the new, improved Union-Register expects to mimic.

The New York Times - Books

As noted above, while you should strive for brevity, you shouldn't shorten your introduction so much that it becomes unclear or illogical.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Stroumsa also argues in detail for the direct influence on Maimonides of Almohadic legal principles of engaging only foundational texts and striving for brevity (without recounting sources, and without recounting legal disputes); see Stroumsa 2009, chapter 3. 10.

SEP

Authors of maxims and aphorisms, on the contrary, strive for the brevity of inscriptions on medals and public buildings and for a diamond-like resistance to the devastation of time upon diffuse and padded writing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hats off for brevity.

The Guardian - Film

This piece has been edited for brevity.

The Guardian - Books

Some might win points for brevity.

The New York Times

He is not known for brevity.

The New York Times - Food

[edited for brevity].

TechCrunch

Q&A paraphrased for brevity. .

TechCrunch

For brevity, let.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, "strive for brevity" to maintain reader engagement and prevent information overload. This is especially effective in fields like journalism and social media where attention spans are limited.

Common error

While it's good to "strive for brevity", avoid cutting out essential information that provides context or clarity. Sometimes, a little more detail is necessary for a comprehensive understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive for brevity" functions as a directive, urging one to actively pursue conciseness in communication. Ludwig AI shows the phrase in use advising for concise and effective writing, especially where attention spans are limited.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strive for brevity" is a call to action, advocating for succinctness and clarity in communication. As shown in Ludwig AI, this grammatically correct phrase is particularly relevant in fast-paced environments like news and social media where attention spans are short. While concise, it's important to avoid sacrificing essential details for the sake of brevity. Alternatives like "aim for conciseness" or "seek succinctness" offer similar meanings. The key is to find a balance that ensures clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim for conciseness

Focuses on the goal of being concise rather than the effort involved.

seek succinctness

Emphasizes the quality of being expressed in few words, implying a more refined approach.

pursue conciseness

Highlights the act of actively chasing after a concise style.

be concise

A direct imperative to adopt a concise communication style.

keep it brief

An informal way to say "make it short".

cut to the chase

Implies avoiding unnecessary details and getting straight to the point.

get to the point

A direct instruction to focus on the essential information.

be direct

Focuses on clarity and straightforwardness in communication.

avoid verbosity

Suggests steering clear of using too many words.

practice brevity

Implies making brevity a habit through consistent effort.

FAQs

How can I effectively "strive for brevity" in my writing?

Focus on the core message, eliminate redundant phrases, and use concise language. Review your work to identify and remove unnecessary words or sentences.

When is it not appropriate to "strive for brevity"?

In legal documents or scientific reports where precision and detail are crucial, focusing solely on brevity can lead to ambiguity or misinterpretation. Prioritize clarity and accuracy over shortness.

What are some alternatives to "strive for brevity"?

You can use alternatives like "aim for conciseness", "seek succinctness", or simply "be concise", depending on the context.

How does "strive for brevity" differ from being terse?

"Strive for brevity" implies a deliberate effort to be concise while still conveying the necessary information. Being terse, on the other hand, suggests abruptness or a lack of politeness, which can be perceived negatively.