to brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to brief" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It is typically used as part of a verb phrase, such as "to brief someone on something" or "to be briefed on something." For example, "The CEO will brief the board of directors on the company's quarterly earnings report." In this sentence, the verb "brief" means to give a short and concise summary or update. Another example could be, "The attorney will be briefed on the case before representing the client in court." In this sentence, the verb "brief" means to inform or give information to someone. Overall, "to brief" can often be used in written English when talking about informing, updating, or summarizing information for someone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some had invited her to brief them.

The New York Times

"I have instructions to brief him".

The Guardian - Film

You have to brief for the next day.

The New Yorker

The resident had planned to brief the I.C.U.

The New York Times

Once he dressed as General Schwarzkopf to brief the creatives.

The New York Times

Nkurunziza wanted to brief me before I talked to Sindikubwabo.

The New Yorker

He also refuses to brief ministers on the details.

The Guardian - Business

Then he sat back down to brief, low-key applause.

The New York Times

I take my notes downstairs to brief my wife.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lewis was invited to the White House in December to brief the senior foreign-policy staff.

The New Yorker

When he learned about the earlier case, Mr. Breuer told aides to brief A.T.F.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to brief", ensure the context requires a concise and informative summary, rather than an exhaustive explanation.

Common error

Avoid overloading a briefing with excessive details. Stick to essential information and key takeaways to maintain focus and effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to brief" is as an infinitive verb, often used transitively to describe the act of providing someone with essential information or instructions. Ludwig shows examples where it functions to introduce summaries, updates, or directives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to brief" functions as an infinitive verb denoting the act of concisely informing someone. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across varied contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While suitable for neutral to professional registers, its primary purpose is efficient information delivery. When using "to brief", prioritize essential details to maintain focus and avoid overwhelming the recipient with unnecessary information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to inform

Focuses on conveying knowledge, differing from "to brief" in its lack of emphasis on conciseness.

to apprise

A more formal way of saying to inform, carrying a tone of expertise.

to update

Highlights providing the latest information, unlike "to brief" which may involve more general instruction.

to instruct

Emphasizes giving directions or commands, a narrower scope than "to brief".

to advise

Suggests offering guidance or recommendations, where "to brief" is more informational.

to familiarize

Highlights making someone acquainted with a topic, differing from "to brief" in its focus on comprehensive understanding.

to present

Focuses on formally delivering information, which may be less concise than "to brief".

to enlighten

Focuses on providing insight or clarity, a deeper level of understanding than a brief overview.

to notify

Focuses on the action of communicating an event or action.

to coach

Suggests giving support or guidance to help someone improve.

FAQs

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

You can use "to brief" to describe the act of providing concise information, as in "The manager needs "to brief" the team on the project's progress".

What are some alternatives to "to brief"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to inform", "to update", or "to advise".

Is it better to "brief" or "to brief" someone?

"To brief" is the infinitive form, often used after auxiliary verbs. "Brief" can be used as a verb directly, as in "I will brief you later".

What's the difference between "to brief" and "to inform"?

"To brief" often implies a concise and focused delivery of information, while "to inform" is a more general term for conveying knowledge.