to be briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be briefly" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not typically used as it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I would like to address the issue to be briefly discussed in the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Back they all go into the skillet or wok, to be briefly recooked together.

The New York Times

Sporadic events since then have led around 17,000 relatives to be briefly reunited.

The Guardian

Soon afterward, Mullard, who was high-strung, suffered a minor breakdown and had to be briefly institutionalized.

The New Yorker

Despite a persistent alarm sound that caused the curtain to be briefly lowered, the dancers offered lively and charming performances.

The New York Times - Arts

It appears a whole crop of celebrities are willing to be briefly cold and wet in penance for not funding ALS research.

The Guardian - Opinion

O'Cain waited and waited for the great man to pick it up - only to be briefly away when Heaney finally turned up.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This, as opposed to being briefly popular and going out in a flash.

TechCrunch

The case, long known to scholars, can be briefly summarized.

The New York Times - Books

Cutaneous responses to LPS will be briefly discussed.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Information published to date can be briefly summarized as follows.

Carcinogenesis

Some of these genes will be briefly referred to below.

Aging Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider replacing "to be briefly" with more standard alternatives such as "to be concise" or "to be succinct". This enhances readability and ensures your writing adheres to conventional English usage.

Common error

Avoid using "to be briefly" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs or adjectives to convey brevity and clarity. Relying on this phrase can make your writing appear weak or imprecise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be briefly" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to introduce an action that will occur for a short duration. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't correct in standard written English. As evidenced by the examples, it often modifies a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be briefly" is used to indicate an action that will happen for a short time or in a concise manner. However, Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is "not correct" in standard written English, recommending alternatives like "to be concise" or "to be succinct". Despite its relatively high frequency across various sources—especially News & Media, Science, and Wiki—it's advisable to use more direct and grammatically sound alternatives in formal writing. The expert rating reflects this, noting grammatical concerns and inconsistent usage, even though it appears frequently in various contexts. While understood, it may be viewed as awkward; therefore, consider clearer phrasing to improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be succinct

Replaces "briefly" with a synonym that emphasizes conciseness.

to be concise

Similar to 'succinct', highlighting the need for brevity.

to be short

More direct and simple, focusing on the limited length.

to be temporary

Focuses on the transient nature of the state or action.

to be momentary

Emphasizes that the action or state is very short-lived.

to be fleeting

Implies something lasting for a very short time, almost disappearing.

to be transient

Similar to 'temporary' but with a stronger sense of passing.

to be quickly

Focuses on the speed with which something is done.

to be rapidly

Similar to 'quickly', emphasizing high speed.

to be summarily

Suggests something done without delay or formality.

FAQs

How can I rewrite a sentence using "to be briefly" for better clarity?

Instead of "The topic is to be briefly discussed", try "The topic will be discussed briefly" or "The topic will be touched upon concisely". These alternatives offer clearer and more direct phrasing.

What are some formal alternatives to "to be briefly"?

In formal writing, you could use phrases like "to be succinct", "to be concise", or "to summarize". These options provide a more polished and professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "to be briefly" in academic writing?

While "to be briefly" might be understood, it's generally not preferred in academic writing due to its somewhat awkward construction. Opt for more direct phrasing to maintain clarity and precision.

How does "to be briefly" differ from "to be short" in meaning?

While both suggest brevity, "to be briefly" implies a short duration of an action or state, whereas "to be short" simply indicates a lack of length. The choice depends on whether you're referring to time or size/length.