a brief appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief appearance" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that only lasts for a short time. For example: "The guest star made a brief appearance on the show before quickly exiting the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Politics made a brief appearance.

The Guardian

(Ingrid Bergman makes a brief appearance).

The New York Times - Arts

Clark himself also makes a brief appearance.

The Guardian

Miss Fletcher makes a brief appearance as his mother.

The New York Times

A cloud of gnats makes a brief appearance.

The New York Times

Mr Prokhorov made a brief appearance at the rally.

The Economist

In a brief appearance on Monday night, Warner looked tentative.

The New York Times - Sports

The criminal indictment makes a brief appearance near the end of Mr. D'Souza's new film.

The New York Times

In a brief appearance at the committee hearing on Wednesday, Paul strongly supported the reform efforts.

The Washington Post

Mr. Nixon delivered his statement in a brief appearance before newsmen at the San Clemente Inn.

The New York Times

Horse grenadiers made a brief appearance in the British and Belgian forces.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief appearance" to succinctly indicate that someone or something was present for only a short time. It's especially effective when the brevity is noteworthy or contrasts with expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief appearance" when a more specific term would better convey the nature of the appearance. For example, use "cameo" if referring to a celebrity's short role in a film, or "glimpse" when referring to a quick viewing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief appearance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb, describing the act of appearing for a short duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief appearance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a short or fleeting presence. As Ludwig AI highlights, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. When writing, consider if alternatives like "short cameo" or "fleeting visit" might provide more specific nuances. Be mindful to avoid vagueness by choosing precise descriptors when the context demands it. This phrase is a reliable way to convey brevity, but tailoring your language can enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short cameo

Emphasizes a very short and often notable appearance, typically in a performance.

a momentary presence

Emphasizes the very short duration of someone or something being present.

a fleeting visit

Focuses on the short duration and transience of a visit.

a quick showing

Highlights the speed and brevity of a presentation or display.

a brief showing

Another way to emphasize that the showing/appearance happened for a short time.

a passing glimpse

Suggests a brief and often incomplete view or sighting.

a concise presentation

Highlights the brevity of an appearance as a presentation.

a short interlude

Highlights a short period of time, or pause, between two different things.

a limited engagement

Highlights the short period of time of an agreement, booking or event.

a rapid flash

Used for things that happen very quickly and are noticeable for a short time.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief appearance" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief appearance" to describe someone or something being present for only a short time. For example, "The celebrity made a brief appearance at the event before leaving".

What can I say instead of "a brief appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "short cameo", "fleeting visit", or "quick showing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'a briefly appearance' instead of "a brief appearance"?

No, 'a briefly appearance' is grammatically incorrect. "A brief appearance" is the correct phrasing because "brief" is an adjective modifying the noun "appearance".

What's the difference between "a brief appearance" and "a short appearance"?

While similar, "a brief appearance" often implies a more fleeting or less significant presence than "a short appearance". The nuance depends on the context.