talking briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talking briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone is speaking in a concise or short manner. Example: "During the meeting, she was talking briefly about the project's progress before moving on to the next agenda item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

After talking briefly with the other driver, he got back into his car and hit the Buick again as he was driving off, the police said.

The New York Times

PHOENIX -- Representative Gabrielle Giffords, an eloquent speaker before she was shot in the head last month, is relearning the skill -- progressing from mouthing words and lip-syncing songs to talking briefly by telephone to her brother-in-law in space.

The New York Times

McKeever recalls talking briefly to Coughlin, moments before the start of one freestyle race during her sophomore year, and giving her a new suggestion for improving her turns at the wall.

The New Yorker

Thus, Whitaker was in the jockey area, talking briefly to several riders before the race, sometimes cutting them off in mid-sentence when it was time to "throw" the telecast to someone else.

The New York Times - Sports

Talking briefly to reporters after the memorial service, Mrs. Bush and Governor Ridge said they were struck by the gratitude the relatives expressed for the outpouring of support from their countrymen.

The New York Times

Downing Street said over the weekend that the Times and Telegraph, which reported the remarks, had no credibility because they had declined to name Feldman, who admitted talking briefly to journalists at the Intercontinental Hotel at Westminster.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We've talked briefly.

The New York Times

We only talked briefly.

The Guardian - Film

We'll talk briefly.

The Guardian - Sport

We talked briefly about that".

The New York Times

They talked briefly about current events.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talking briefly" to indicate a concise exchange of words, such as during a quick meeting or informal conversation. It accurately conveys the brevity of the interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "talking briefly" repetitively in a single text. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives like "mentioning briefly" or "touching on briefly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talking briefly" functions as a modifier, typically acting as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes the manner or duration of a conversation. It specifies that the act of talking is done in a short or concise way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talking briefly" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a short conversation or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears in various contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the brevity of the interaction and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While "talking briefly" is relatively uncommon, its appropriate usage conveys a sense of conciseness and efficiency in communication. Remember to vary your language and replace "talking briefly" with "mentioning briefly" or similar alternatives in order to increase reader's engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mentioning briefly

Highlights the act of making a short reference to something within a larger context.

touching on briefly

Implies addressing a topic lightly without going into deep detail.

speaking concisely

Focuses on the manner of speaking rather than the duration, highlighting brevity in delivery.

discussing quickly

Refers to a fast-paced discussion, possibly covering multiple topics in less time.

addressing concisely

Similar to speaking concisely, but emphasizes addressing a specific point or topic directly.

commenting succinctly

Emphasizes the brevity and clarity of the comment made.

stating succinctly

Highlights stating something in a clear, brief, and concise manner.

conferring quickly

Suggests a brief and purposeful exchange, often in a professional setting.

remarking shortly

Signifies making a brief observation or statement.

chatting shortly

Indicates a casual and brief conversation, suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "talking briefly" to describe a short conversation or discussion. For instance, "After the presentation, we were "talking briefly" about the next steps".

What are some alternatives to "talking briefly"?

Alternatives include "mentioning briefly", "touching on briefly", or "speaking concisely depending" on the context.

Is it correct to say "briefly talking" instead of "talking briefly"?

While "briefly talking" isn't incorrect, "talking briefly" is more common and natural-sounding in English. The placement of the adverb affects the emphasis, but "talking briefly" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "talking briefly" and "discussing briefly"?

"Talking briefly" generally implies a shorter and less formal exchange compared to "discussing briefly". "Discussing briefly" suggests a slightly more structured or focused conversation, even if short.