Definition

Adverb: In a concise manner; using few words. It is used to introduce or signal a summary of the most important points.

Usage

Use "in brief" to introduce a short, summarized statement, especially after a longer explanation or when time/space is limited. It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• As a discourse marker: "In brief" functions as a transitional phrase to move from details to a conclusion.
  • We've examined the financial, logistical, and personnel challenges. In brief, the project is feasible but risky.

Variants and Related Words

• Briefly (adv.): In a brief manner; for a short time.
  • He spoke briefly about the new policy.
• To put it briefly: A synonymous phrase used to introduce a summary.
  • To put it briefly, the plan was a success.

Synonyms

• In short
• In summary
• To sum up
• Concisely

Related Phrases

• In a nutshell: (Idiom) Summarizing something in the fewest possible words.
  • The situation, in a nutshell, is that we need more time.

Adverb

1. in a concise manner; in a few words
   • the history is summed up concisely in this book
   • she replied briefly
   • briefly, we have a problem
   • to put it shortly