Which one is correct?
"the authors conducted the brief analysis" or "the authors conducted a brief analysis"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"the authors conducted the brief analysis" or "the authors conducted a brief analysis"?

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This phrase is used when referring to a specific analysis that was previously mentioned or known to the reader.

Examples:

The authors conducted the brief analysis that was requested by the committee.
She asked the authors to conduct the brief analysis that had been outlined in the proposal.

Alternatives:

The authors conducted that brief analysis
The authors conducted this brief analysis
The authors conducted an analysis
The authors conducted the analysis
The authors conducted a specific analysis

This phrase is used when referring to a short or concise analysis conducted by the authors.

Examples:

The authors conducted a brief analysis of the data before presenting their findings.
She asked the authors to conduct a brief analysis of the market trends.

Alternatives:

The authors carried out a brief analysis
The authors performed a brief analysis
The authors undertook a brief analysis
The authors completed a brief analysis
The authors executed a brief analysis

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. 'The authors conducted a brief analysis' implies that the authors conducted a short analysis, while 'The authors conducted the brief analysis' suggests that the authors conducted a specific analysis that was previously mentioned or known. The choice between the two depends on the intended meaning.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024