to know briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"to know briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you only know enough about something to give a brief explanation or overview. For example, "I don't know much about electronics, but I know enough to know briefly how it works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That moment is consonant with the artist that I got to know briefly.

The New Yorker

As the prisoner was transferred from death row to a secluded cell under twenty-four-hour observation and, finally, to the deathwatch cell, he was weaned from the custody of officers he knew well to those he got to know briefly, to those, on the final evening, he didn't know and never would.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Walk around to the tables and let everyone know briefly and politely: "Hey everybody!

WikiHow

Matt Harvey is one of the loveliest poets I know, briefly famous for being Wimbledon's first poet-in-residence and for hosting BBC Radio 4's Wondermentalist Cabaret.

The Guardian

The movie came to be known briefly for starting a war of its own — between Russell and his star, George Clooney, who had dust-ups on set over the director's apparent volatility (the pair have only recently enjoyed a rapprochement).

The Guardian - Film

We also added a statement to the introduction—"There are 3 important things to know: …"—briefly listing as 1, 2 and 3 the outcomes to be covered in the booklet (ie, breast cancer mortality benefit, false positives and overdetection).

BMJ Open

… By the end he was living alone and tormented by his nostalgia, always trying to reconnect with friends he knew briefly a decade ago, people who had moved on and didn't even remember him or thought it was weird that he was contacting them".

Vice

Justin, a genial Vermonter whom I'd known briefly in school in Boston, and who went on to work in that super-slick and now long, long gone record shop on Ninth Street, and who, one night after work, schooled me on how to order an alcoholic drink.

The New Yorker

During that time, I heard from someone I knew briefly in third grade and an old pal I knew in sixth grade and so on.

The New York Times

Witness, for example, the high-water mark around the bleached bones of Chao Chao — known briefly for its slick cocktails and its live d.j.j

The New Yorker

Because a Finnish weightlifter whose name I knew briefly but have since forgotten successfully hoisted 140kg above his head.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to know briefly" to convey a sense of limited interaction or exposure, setting realistic expectations for the depth of information or connection you can offer.

Common error

Avoid using "to know briefly" when you actually possess substantial knowledge or have a long-standing relationship. Overstating the brevity of your acquaintance can undermine your credibility and create a misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to know briefly" functions as an infinitive verb phrase modified by an adverb, indicating the extent or duration of knowledge or acquaintance. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a limited or short-term awareness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to know briefly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a limited or short-term acquaintance or understanding. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and offers real-world examples from news, wiki and science domains. While relatively rare, the phrase serves to set expectations about the depth of knowledge being conveyed. When using it, ensure the context makes the limited extent of the knowledge clear, and avoid overstating the brevity if you possess substantial information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have a brief acquaintance with

It emphasizes the short duration of knowing someone or something.

to be vaguely familiar with

Indicates a lack of detailed knowledge, similar to knowing something briefly.

to have a passing acquaintance with

Replaces "know briefly" with a more formal idiom suggesting a superficial relationship.

to have a fleeting knowledge of

Emphasizes the short-lived nature of the knowledge.

to have a cursory knowledge of

Indicates a quick and not very thorough understanding.

to be superficially acquainted with

Highlights the lack of depth in the knowledge or relationship.

to have a nodding acquaintance with

Implies a slight or superficial familiarity.

to have a limited understanding of

Focuses on the restricted scope of comprehension.

to just know the basics of

Focuses on understanding fundamental principles without deeper exploration.

to only scratch the surface of

Uses a metaphor to convey a minimal level of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to know briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "to know briefly" to indicate a superficial or short-lived acquaintance with someone or something. For example, "I got "to know briefly" the artist during the event" or "I "to know briefly" about this topic".

What are some alternatives to "to know briefly"?

Some alternatives include "to have a passing acquaintance with", "to be vaguely familiar with", or "to have a brief acquaintance with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "to know briefly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to know briefly" might sound somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "to possess a superficial understanding of" or "to have a limited familiarity with" to convey the same meaning with greater sophistication.

What is the difference between "to know briefly" and "to know superficially"?

"To know briefly" emphasizes the short duration of the acquaintance, while "to know superficially" highlights the lack of depth in understanding. You might "to know briefly" someone you met once, but you might "to know superficially" a subject you've only glanced over.