to put it briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"to put it briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce a concise explanation of a complex situation. For example: "To put it briefly, we need to finish the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

To put it briefly: as with oats, so with tanks.

The New York Times - Magazine

To put it briefly, though I lack corporeal existence, you would be exceedingly foolish not to heed what I say.

The New York Times

To put it briefly, and somewhat too simply, a certain hope died, a certain respect for white Americans faded.

The New Yorker

To put it briefly, making beer requires breaking down grain starches into sugars, flavoring the resulting sweet liquid with hop flowers, then fermenting it with yeast.

The New York Times

To put it briefly, I am beginning to understand something about America, but I have not got the time even to think never mind writing.

The New Yorker

To put it briefly, the solution is to establish a Palestinian state in pre-1967 bordexchangehange some territory to keep major blocs of settlements within Israel; divide Jerusalem; and allow for a very limited return of Palestinian refugees to Israel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Or, to put it more briefly, out of four factual assertions in the UKIP press release, four are incorrect.

The Economist

"What we are going to do," wrote Ross, "about the art column (to put it bluntly and briefly) is let Lewis Mumford do occasional [essays] on art, along with his architectural pieces.

The New Yorker

Putting it briefly: Turkey would not jeopardise the Nato umbrella by going nuclear unilaterally.

The Guardian

Once the frittata is golden underneath – mostly set but with a wobbly top, which takes about 10 minutes – you can either serve as is, or, if you want it crisper, either finish the frittata in the oven, or invert twice on to a plate and put it back briefly in the pan to cook the other side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hussain Fathil, 35, trying to guide his 1991 Opel through the logjam, put it more briefly: "It pulls your heart apart".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your introductory phrases for concision, using alternatives like "in short" or "simply put" to avoid repetition and keep your writing engaging.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "to put it briefly". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Strive for varied sentence structures and transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put it briefly" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It modifies the sentence by indicating the manner in which the information is presented. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces a concise summary or explanation. Examples show it setting up a short version of a longer idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put it briefly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used introductory phrase that signals a concise explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and utility. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with a neutral to somewhat formal register. To avoid redundancy, consider using alternatives like "in short" or "simply put". Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so vary your sentence structures for more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in short

Emphasizes brevity and conciseness; more direct and less verbose.

in a nutshell

Conveys the idea of summarizing something complex into its most basic elements.

simply put

Highlights the act of making something easier to understand, often used when simplifying a complex topic.

in essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something, rather than just its brevity.

to be concise

Directly states the intention to be brief and avoid unnecessary detail.

in summary

Indicates a recapitulation of previously stated information.

to cut a long story short

Signals that a longer narrative is being shortened to its key points.

briefly

A more abrupt way to signal brevity, often used when diving directly into the abridged information.

in a word

Emphasizes extreme conciseness, limiting the summary to a single word.

to summarize

Indicates the act of providing a summary of the main points.

FAQs

How can I use "to put it briefly" in a sentence?

"To put it briefly" is used to introduce a short explanation or summary of something. For example: "To put it briefly, the project was a success despite the initial challenges."

What are some alternatives to "to put it briefly"?

Alternatives include "in short", "simply put", "in essence", and "in a nutshell". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to put it briefly"?

Yes, "to put it briefly" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal writing. It functions as an introductory phrase.

How formal is the phrase "to put it briefly"?

The phrase "to put it briefly" is suitable for most contexts, ranging from neutral to somewhat formal. It's appropriate for both written and spoken communication.