C1 Expression رسمی 2 دقیقه مطالعه

In brief

Academic essay writing expression

Use `In brief` to professionally summarize long explanations and show respect for your listener's time.

در ۱۵ ثانیه

  • 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.

معنی

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.

مثال‌های کلیدی

3 از 7
1

Explaining 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.

🤝
2

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.

😊
3

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.

💼
🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

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!

در ۱۵ ثانیه

  • 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.

نکات کاربردی

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!

مثال‌ها

7
#1 Explaining 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.

Used here to skip the technical details of the train's engine failure.

#2 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.

A quick way to tell a story without spoiling every scene.

#3 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.

Perfect for an executive summary where the boss needs numbers fast.

#4 Texting a group chat about a party
😊

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.

#5 Explaining a failed DIY project
😄

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.

#6 Discussing a difficult life change
💭

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.

#7 Concluding an academic essay
👔

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.

خودت رو بسنج

Choose the correct phrase to summarize the meeting.

___, we need to hire three more people by January.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: In brief

`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.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ,

A comma is used after introductory phrases like `In brief` to separate the summary from the rest of the sentence.

🎉 امتیاز: /2

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Formality of Summarizing Phrases

Casual

Used with close friends or family.

In a nutshell...

Neutral

Good for most daily conversations.

In short...

Formal

Best for essays, reports, and meetings.

In brief...

Very Formal

Highly academic or legal contexts.

To summarize the aforementioned...

Where to use 'In brief'

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.

سوالات متداول

12 سوال

It 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.

عبارات مرتبط

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.

مفید بود؟
هنوز نظری وجود ندارد. اولین نفری باشید که افکار خود را به اشتراک می‌گذارد!

یادگیری زبان‌ها را رایگان شروع کنید

شروع رایگان یادگیری