Briefly vs. Shortly – Which is Correct?

The distinction between briefly and shortly often causes confusion, but understanding their primary meanings clarifies their correct usage. Briefly refers to something lasting for a short duration or being expressed in a concise manner. In contrast, shortly most commonly means “soon” or “in a short time from now,” though it can also, less frequently, mean concisely.

Briefly or Shortly – Which is Correct?

Both “briefly” and “shortly” are correct adverbs in American English, but they are not always interchangeable. The core difference lies in their primary emphasis: briefly focuses on the duration of an action or the conciseness of an explanation, while shortly primarily indicates imminent timing – that something will happen “soon.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of the core meaning of each root word. “Brief” relates to a short period or a concise summary. So, “briefly” means for a short time or in a brief way. “Short” can also mean a short time, but when combined with “-ly” to form “shortly,” its most common contemporary use is to mean “soon.” Use the “Soon Test” for “shortly”: If you can replace “shortly” with “soon” and the sentence still makes sense, then “shortly” is likely the correct choice for imminent timing. If you’re referring to something being concise or lasting a limited time, use “briefly.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Briefly	Adverb	For a short time; in few words; concisely	She spoke briefly about her travels.
Shortly	Adverb	Soon; in a short time from now; (less commonly) concisely	The results will be announced shortly.

How to Use Briefly

The adverb “briefly” is used to describe an action or state that lasts for a short period of time, or to describe something that is communicated or done in a concise, succinct manner. It emphasizes either the limited duration or the conciseness. Its tone is standard and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1: The speaker addressed the audience briefly before the main presentation began.

Example 2: Can you summarize the report briefly for me?

Example 3: We paused briefly to admire the view from the mountaintop.

Etymology of the word Briefly

The word “briefly” comes from the adjective “brief,” combined with the adverbial suffix “-ly.” “Brief” entered English from Old French bref, which in turn derived from Latin brevis, meaning “short.” Its usage as an adverb indicating short duration or conciseness dates back to the 14th century.

How to Use Shortly

The adverb “shortly” primarily means “soon” or “in a short time from now,” indicating an event that will happen in the near future. This is its most common and unambiguous use. Less frequently, “shortly” can also mean “in a concise or abrupt manner,” overlapping with “briefly,” but this usage is less common in modern American English and can sometimes lead to ambiguity. In most contexts, when referring to conciseness, “briefly” is the clearer and preferred choice.

Example 1: The manager will join the meeting shortly.

Example 2: Your order will be shipped shortly after processing.

Example 3: They arrived shortly after we did, having faced traffic delays.

Etymology of the word Shortly

“Shortly” is formed from the adjective “short” and the adverbial suffix “-ly.” The word “short” comes from Old English sceort, which has Germanic roots. Its primary meaning of “soon” or “in a short time” has been established since the 16th century, evolving from earlier senses that also included “concisely” or “abruptly.”

Related Concepts

Understanding the broader categories of adverbs helps in distinguishing words like “briefly” and “shortly,” as they often describe different aspects of an action.

• Adverbs of Time: These adverbs tell us when an action happens or how often. “Shortly” fits predominantly into this category, indicating an action will occur “soon.”
• Adverbs of Manner: These adverbs describe how an action is performed. “Briefly” can function as an adverb of manner when it means “in a concise way,” describing the style of communication. It can also act as an adverb of time when it means “for a short duration.”

Examples from Media and Literature

• In a press conference, the spokesperson stated, “The President will address the nation shortly on this developing situation.”
• From a novel: “She glanced at him briefly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, before returning to her book.”
• A news report might say: “Investigators spoke briefly with witnesses at the scene.”
• A common announcement: “The flight will be boarding shortly from Gate 7.”
• From a biography: “He lived briefly in Paris before moving back to his hometown.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The professor explained the complex theory very __________.
2. Please wait here; the doctor will see you __________.
3. She only stayed __________ at the party before heading home.
4. The new policy will be announced __________ by the human resources department.
5. He spoke __________ about his experience, not wanting to bore anyone with details.

Answer Key

1. briefly
2. shortly
3. briefly
4. shortly
5. briefly

Briefly Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Concise	Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive.
Succinctly	In a brief and clearly expressed manner.
Momentarily	For a very short time.
Fleetingly	For a very short time.

Shortly Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Soon	In a short time from now.
Presently	At the present time; now (less common); in a short time.
Imminently	About to happen very soon.
Momentarily	At any moment; very soon. (Note: Can also mean ‘for a short time’, creating potential ambiguity).

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “shortly” be used to mean “in a concise manner”?
Yes, “shortly” can technically mean “in a concise manner,” but this usage is less common and can be ambiguous. For clarity, it’s generally better to use “briefly” when referring to conciseness.

Question 2: Is “momentarily” a good synonym for both “briefly” and “shortly”?
“Momentarily” can mean both “for a short time” (like briefly) and “in a moment; very soon” (like shortly). Due to this dual meaning, it can sometimes cause confusion. It’s often best to use “briefly” or “shortly” directly to avoid ambiguity if the context isn’t perfectly clear.

Question 3: Which word is more formal?
Both “briefly” and “shortly” are standard English adverbs and are appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The choice between them depends entirely on the intended meaning (duration/conciseness vs. imminent timing), not on formality.

Conclusion

In summary, while “briefly” and “shortly” both relate to the concept of “shortness,” their primary applications differ significantly. Use briefly when referring to something that lasts for a limited duration or is expressed concisely. Reserve shortly for indicating that an event will happen “soon” or “in a short time from now.” Recognizing this distinction is key to precise communication. Pro Tip: Employing these adverbs accurately enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing, ensuring your message is understood exactly as intended.