In brief
Academic essay writing expression
Use `In brief` to professionally summarize long explanations and show respect for your listener's time.
In 15 Sekunden
- Summarizes complex information into a short, clear point.
- Best for professional meetings, academic writing, and emails.
- Signals to the listener that the main conclusion is coming.
Bedeutung
A way to summarize a long story or complex point very quickly. It tells your listener that you are skipping the details to give them the main idea.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 7Explaining a delay to a friend
In brief, the train broke down and I'll be thirty minutes late.
In brief, the train broke down and I'll be thirty minutes late.
Summarizing a movie plot
In brief, the hero saves the world but loses his hat.
In brief, the hero saves the world but loses his hat.
Writing a business report
In brief, our sales increased by 20% over the last quarter.
In brief, our sales increased by 20% over the last quarter.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In English-speaking professional environments, 'brevity' is considered a virtue. The phrase 'In brief' reflects the high value placed on efficiency and the 'elevator pitch' culture, where you must convey your best ideas in seconds. It became a staple of academic writing to help readers navigate complex arguments.
The 'Comma' Rule
Always put a comma after `In brief` when you start a sentence. It makes your writing look much more professional!
The Elevator Pitch
In the US, being able to explain something 'in brief' is a key career skill. It’s often called an 'elevator pitch'—the time it takes to ride an elevator!
In 15 Sekunden
- Summarizes complex information into a short, clear point.
- Best for professional meetings, academic writing, and emails.
- Signals to the listener that the main conclusion is coming.
What It Means
In brief is like a fast-forward button for your conversation. It helps you skip the long, boring details. You use it to give the most important information quickly. Think of it as the professional version of 'TL;DR'. It signals that a summary is coming. It helps your listener focus on the final result.
How To Use It
You usually put this phrase at the start of a sentence. Always follow it with a comma when writing. In speech, take a tiny breath after saying it. This gives your listener time to prepare for the summary. You can also use it at the very end of a long explanation. It acts like a tidy bow on a gift. It keeps your thoughts organized and professional.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for business meetings. Use it when your boss looks at their watch. It is great for academic essays to conclude a point. Use it when explaining a movie plot to a busy friend. It works well in emails to summarize long attachments. If you are giving a presentation, use it to recap. It shows you respect the other person's time.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if someone wants all the juicy details. Avoid it during a deep, late-night heart-to-heart talk. It can sound a bit cold in very emotional moments. If you use it too much, you might seem impatient. Don't use it if the topic is already very simple. It might make you sound like a robot. Keep it for when things are actually complex.
Cultural Background
Western culture values efficiency and directness. We often say 'time is money' in professional settings. Being able to summarize shows you understand the topic well. It is a sign of high-level communication skills. In the UK and US, 'getting to the point' is respected. It shows you are a clear and logical thinker.
Common Variations
In short is the most common twin of this phrase. To sum up is great for finishing a speech. In a nutshell is a fun, more casual version. Use Briefly if you want to be even faster. To make a long story short is very common in stories. Each one helps you save time and stay clear.
Nutzungshinweise
Use `In brief` when you want to sound authoritative and organized. It is a 'C1 level' marker because it shows you can control the flow of complex information.
The 'Comma' Rule
Always put a comma after `In brief` when you start a sentence. It makes your writing look much more professional!
The Elevator Pitch
In the US, being able to explain something 'in brief' is a key career skill. It’s often called an 'elevator pitch'—the time it takes to ride an elevator!
Don't be too brief!
If you use this phrase and then speak for five more minutes, people will get annoyed. Make sure your summary is actually short!
Beispiele
7In brief, the train broke down and I'll be thirty minutes late.
In brief, the train broke down and I'll be thirty minutes late.
Used here to skip the technical details of the train's engine failure.
In brief, the hero saves the world but loses his hat.
In brief, the hero saves the world but loses his hat.
A quick way to tell a story without spoiling every scene.
In brief, our sales increased by 20% over the last quarter.
In brief, our sales increased by 20% over the last quarter.
Perfect for an executive summary where the boss needs numbers fast.
In brief: the music was great, but the food was terrible.
In brief: the music was great, but the food was terrible.
Using a colon instead of a comma is common in texts.
In brief, I tried to fix the sink and now the kitchen is a lake.
In brief, I tried to fix the sink and now the kitchen is a lake.
Used humorously to highlight a disastrous result.
In brief, it has been a very challenging year for my family.
In brief, it has been a very challenging year for my family.
Provides a summary when the speaker isn't ready to share everything.
In brief, the study confirms that sleep improves memory retention.
In brief, the study confirms that sleep improves memory retention.
A classic way to wrap up a complex scientific argument.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to summarize the meeting.
___, we need to hire three more people by January.
`In brief` is the set expression used as a sentence starter.
Which punctuation follows 'In brief' at the start of a sentence?
In brief___ the project was a total success.
A comma is used after introductory phrases like `In brief` to separate the summary from the rest of the sentence.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of Summarizing Phrases
Used with close friends or family.
In a nutshell...
Good for most daily conversations.
In short...
Best for essays, reports, and meetings.
In brief...
Highly academic or legal contexts.
To summarize the aforementioned...
Where to use 'In brief'
Ending an Essay
Summarizing your main thesis.
Business Meeting
Giving the bottom line to a CEO.
News Reporting
Giving a quick headline update.
Professional Email
Recapping a long thread of messages.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt means you are going to give a short version of a longer story or explanation. It is like saying 'to keep it short'.
Yes, it is considered quite formal and professional. It is very common in academic essays and business reports.
You can, but it might sound a bit serious. For friends, In short or In a nutshell usually feels more natural.
It almost always goes at the very beginning. For example: In brief, we need more money.
They mean the same thing, but In brief is slightly more formal. In short is used more often in daily speech.
No, that is a common mistake. The correct expression is always In brief or just the word Briefly.
Absolutely! It is a great way to start your concluding paragraph or to summarize a complex theory.
Not usually. However, if you say it while someone else is talking, it might seem like you are telling them to hurry up.
It is rare, but possible. For example: 'The situation is quite dire, in brief.' It’s much better at the start.
It is used and understood perfectly in both! It is a standard part of Global English.
Yes, in writing, you should always follow it with a comma. In brief, the plan failed.
You could say Basically or Long story short. These are much more common in casual hangouts.
Verwandte Redewendungen
In short
A slightly less formal way to summarize a point.
In a nutshell
A metaphorical way to say 'in a very few words'.
To sum up
Commonly used to conclude a presentation or speech.
Briefly
An adverb used to indicate a short duration or summary.
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