we briefly discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we briefly discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you and one or more people had a brief conversation about something. For example, "We briefly discussed our plans for the summer before heading off in different directions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's going to be hard for him: people will have expectations because he's my son.' I met Spall again last spring and we briefly discussed Rafe.

The Guardian

One of my closest friends once found a pack of XL condoms in my room, and then we briefly discussed the matter.

Independent

We briefly discussed tonight's maybe full moon, that it's the 3rd day of summer, that far rockaway is rad, highline is ok but far away.

The New York Times

When the story broke that Patten had set headhunters on the search process last January, I found Entwistle tucked away behind a pillar at the Oxford Media Convention, not pressing the flesh: we briefly discussed The Inbetweeners.

The Guardian

We briefly discussed what was involved in what we faced and agreed that at least in Libya we were not facing the constant threat of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) one gets in Afghanistan.

Independent

We briefly discussed some possible mechanisms.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In the Discussion we briefly discuss advantages and drawbacks of the techniques developed.

Plosone

We briefly discuss just one: Inverted Earth.

SEP

We briefly discuss these elements.

Gynecological Surgery

We briefly discuss some results.

Advances in Space Research

We briefly discuss both of them.

Brain Informatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we briefly discussed" to indicate that a topic was brought up but not explored in depth. This sets expectations for the level of detail a reader should anticipate.

Common error

Avoid using "we briefly discussed" as a substitute for explaining key concepts. Even if a topic was mentioned, ensure the reader has sufficient context to understand its relevance.

Linguistic Context

"We briefly discussed" serves as a transitional phrase, often found in reports, articles, or meeting summaries. Its primary function is to acknowledge a topic's introduction without committing to an exhaustive treatment. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it sets expectations for the level of detail provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we briefly discussed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a topic was touched upon but not fully explored. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content, where it serves to manage expectations regarding the level of detail provided. While effective, be mindful not to use it as a substitute for necessary explanations; always ensure the reader has sufficient context to understand the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we briefly talked about

A more conversational alternative to "discussed".

we had a quick chat about

Highlights the informality and brevity of the conversation.

we touched upon

Implies a very light and superficial mention, with even less detail than "discussed".

we covered briefly

Indicates that the topic was included but not examined in detail.

we mentioned in passing

Highlights the casual and incidental nature of the mention.

we lightly addressed

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the engagement with the topic.

we alluded to

Suggests an indirect reference, rather than a direct discussion.

we skimmed over

Implies an even faster and less thorough treatment of the subject.

we glanced at

Suggests a quick and cursory look at the subject.

we made a short comment on

Focuses on the limited amount of input given.

FAQs

How can I use "we briefly discussed" in a sentence?

You can use "we briefly discussed" to indicate that you and others touched on a topic without going into extensive detail. For example, "We briefly discussed the budget, but we'll need a longer meeting to make final decisions."

What's a more formal alternative to "we briefly discussed"?

In formal writing, you could use alternatives like "we touched upon" or "we lightly addressed" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it okay to use "we briefly discussed" in academic writing?

Yes, it's acceptable in academic writing when you want to acknowledge a topic's mention without implying a comprehensive analysis. Just ensure the context is clear and necessary information is provided.

What is the difference between "we briefly discussed" and "we thoroughly analyzed"?

"We briefly discussed" suggests a short, superficial conversation, while "we thoroughly analyzed" implies an in-depth investigation and detailed examination of the topic. Use "we thoroughly analyzed" if you did more work than a brief discussion.