phrase · neutral

In brief

/ɪn briːf/in·BRIEF

speakingtask2

used to give a short summary or explanation in a few words.

Examples

In brief, the experiment failed due to poor design.

In brief, we need more data before deciding.

In brief, the scheme benefits only a small group.

Band 8 sentence

In brief, the policy failed because it ignored socioeconomic differences among regions.

Collocations

  • In brief, + clause
  • In brief summary

Word family

brief adjectivebriefly adverb

Common mistakes

In brief.In brief, ...

I will brief about the results.I will give a brief summary of the results.

Say it for a higher band

5short6briefly7+In brief

Synonyms

to be brief

Easily confused

To be brief

To be brief, I disagree with the proposal.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Emphasis & conclusion

Learn it with its set