What is briefly? Pronunciation and usage in English

briefly means . Learn how to pronounce and use briefly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of briefly

brieflyadverb

/ˈbriːfli/
Definition & pronunciation of briefly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "briefly." It's a bit tricky because of the "ie" combination. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Individual Sounds:

  • "Brie": This part is like "bree" - as in "free" but with a "b" at the beginning. Think of it as a short, quick "bree."
  • "fly": This is pronounced like "fly" as in "flying."

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word blends together like this: BRIFF-lee

Here's a more detailed breakdown and some tips:

  • Stress: The emphasis is on the first syllable: BRIFF.
  • "ie" sound: The "ie" makes a short "i" sound, like in "pig" or "hit." Don’t say “beet” – just a short “i.”
  • "f" sound: Keep the "f" sound at the end of "brief."

Resources to help you hear it:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble with a specific part of the word (e.g., the "ie" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word briefly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "briefly" in English. It's a really handy word to add to your vocabulary!

What does "briefly" mean?

"Briefly" means for a short time or in a concise way. It's an adverb, so it modifies verbs, adjectives, and sometimes adverbs. It essentially asks for something to be summarized or stated with minimal detail.

How to Use It - Examples & Scenarios

Here's how you can use "briefly" in various situations:

  1. To shorten a statement/explanation:

    • Instead of: "I want to tell you about the project, and it involved a lot of research, meetings, and challenges, and we finally delivered a successful product."
    • You could say: "I’ll briefly explain the project: we researched, held meetings, and ultimately delivered a successful product."

  2. To indicate a short speech or presentation:

    • "I’ll briefly summarize the key findings of the report." (You’ll be giving a concise summary).
    • “The presenter will briefly outline the company’s new strategy." (The presenter will give a short overview).

  3. With verbs – to indicate a quick action:

    • "She briefly touched his arm." (A quick, light touch).
    • "He briefly glanced at the document." (A quick, momentary look).
    • “I briefly considered the offer, but declined.” (I thought about it for a moment, and then said no.)

  4. With adjectives – to describe something short:

    • "It was a briefly mentioned topic." (The topic was only talked about for a short time).
    • "We have a briefly available appointment." (The appointment slot is only open for a short period).

  5. With adverbs – to emphasize the shortness:

    • "He briefly opened the door.” (He only opened it for a moment).

Important Notes & Tips:

  • Don't over-briefly: While "briefly" is useful, don't use it to the point where you completely omit important information. Find a balance between conciseness and clarity.

  • Follow with detail if needed: When you say something "briefly," it's often a signal that you’re prepared to provide more information if someone asks for it.

  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like:

    • Quickly
    • Shortly
    • Concisely
    • In summary
    • Briefly

Let’s test your understanding:

Fill in the blank with "briefly":

  1. “Could you _______ explain the new procedure?”
  2. “She _______ waved to me from across the room.”
  3. “I will _______ outline the main points of the proposal.”

Answers:

  1. briefly
  2. briefly
  3. briefly

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how "briefly" differs from other similar words (like "quickly")?
  • Create a short sentence using "briefly"?

Synonyms for the word briefly

Practice with vocabulary briefly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The manager explained the new policy _________, so everyone could understand it quickly.
  2. She paused _________ before continuing with her presentation.
  3. He summarized the report _________ to save time during the meeting.
  4. The professor discussed the topic _________ to provide a general overview.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. How did the speaker address the issue during the meeting?
    a) briefly
    b) extensively
    c) casually
    d) precisely

  2. Which word best fits the sentence: "The teacher _________ outlined the lesson objectives before starting the class."
    a) quickly
    b) briefly
    c) thoroughly
    d) slowly

  3. Which of the following words is a synonym of "briefly"?
    a) concisely
    b) extensively
    c) indefinitely
    d) abruptly

  4. How did the employee respond to the client’s question?
    a) briefly
    b) vaguely
    c) repeatedly
    d) elaborately

  5. Which word does NOT fit in the sentence: "The CEO _________ discussed the financial report during the conference."
    a) briefly
    b) superficially
    c) in detail
    d) succinctly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The consultant gave a short explanation of the project plan.
    Rewrite: The consultant _________ explained the project plan.

  2. Original: She summarized the key points in a few words.
    Rewrite: She covered the key points _________.

  3. Original: He spoke concisely about the company’s goals.
    Rewrite: He spoke _________ about the company’s goals.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. briefly
  2. briefly
  3. concisely
  4. briefly

Exercise 2:

  1. a) briefly
  2. b) briefly
  3. a) concisely
  4. a) briefly
  5. c) in detail

Exercise 3:

  1. The consultant briefly explained the project plan.
  2. She covered the key points briefly.
  3. He spoke succinctly about the company’s goals.

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