brief
part of speech
adjective (brief, briefer, briefest); noun (a brief, briefs); verb (brief, briefs, briefed, briefing)
meaning for a pupil
1) Short in time or length. tree →
2) Using few words: be brief. tree →
3) (noun) Instructions about a job or task: the brief for the project. tree →
4) (verb) To give someone the facts or instructions they need. tree →
5) Briefs (plural): underpants. tree →
6) (noun, UK) A lawyer's case; informal for a lawyer. tree →
sense in the lessons
In school, a design brief tells you what to make; teachers ask for a brief summary. In everyday life, a brief visit or brief chat is short. In formal and exam voice: «briefly explain». Phrases: in brief, a brief summary, brief someone on, design brief.
examples
- We had a brief chat after school. tree →
- Please keep your answer brief. tree →
- In brief, the plan worked. tree →
- The design brief said: make a bridge from straws. tree →
- The coach briefed us before the match. tree →
- He packed socks and briefs for the trip. tree →
- The rain was brief, just ten minutes. tree →
- Here is a brief analysis of part of one of the tales in which this elementary abducer figures. tree →
note
Adverb briefly. Briefing is a meeting where people are given information. In exam questions «briefly» means write a short answer, a sentence or two. Briefs (underpants) is always plural.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «brief» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.