a brief conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to a conversation that is relatively short in duration. For example, "We had a brief conversation about the upcoming trip before we had to leave the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a brief conversation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Laffer shot Mr. Ferguson first after a brief conversation.

The New York Times

After a brief conversation, he quickly returned to work.

The New York Times - Sports

According to Sabathia, it was a brief conversation.

The New York Times - Sports

Lollo called him and they had a brief conversation.

The Guardian

The pair then had a brief conversation, all in Urdu.

The Guardian

After a brief conversation in the hallway, they returned, and Nelson agreed to the stimulus package.

The New Yorker

After a brief conversation, Joe Rodriguez put his son on his cellphone.

The New York Times - Sports

During a brief conversation on his front porch, Mr. Milner declined to say much of anything.

The New York Times - Tech

After a brief conversation with a security guard, he turned away and left.

The New York Times - Arts

She had a brief conversation with medical personnel Friday but said she felt no problems.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief conversation" to accurately describe an exchange when the duration is a key characteristic you want to convey to the reader. It's useful for setting the scene and managing reader expectations about the depth of the interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief conversation" when you actually mean there was no real conversation at all. If the interaction was essentially non-verbal or extremely minimal, consider using phrases like "a nod" or "a quick glance" to be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief conversation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI validates this use, providing numerous examples where the phrase describes an exchange of words. It specifies the nature of the conversation as being short in duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief conversation" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to denote a short exchange between individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples from reliable sources across various contexts like News & Media, Wiki, and Science. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the duration of the conversation and consider alternative phrases like "a short discussion" or "a quick chat" for nuanced meaning. Avoid redundancy and strive for precise language when describing the nature of the interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short discussion

Focuses on the exchange of information rather than the duration.

a quick chat

Emphasizes the informality and brevity of the conversation.

a fleeting exchange

Highlights the transient and brief nature of the interaction.

a concise dialogue

Stresses the succinctness and efficiency of the conversation.

a momentary talk

Underscores the short duration and fleeting quality of the conversation.

a limited discussion

Emphasizes the constraints on the extent or scope of the conversation.

a swift communication

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of conveying information.

a curtailed dialogue

Highlights that the dialogue has been shortened or cut short.

a succinct exchange

Similar to 'concise dialogue', but emphasizes mutual giving of information.

a terse exchange

This emphasizes the abruptness and brevity and potentially a lack of friendliness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief conversation" to describe a short exchange between two or more people. For example, "After "a brief conversation", they parted ways."

What's an alternative to "a brief conversation"?

Alternatives include "a short discussion", "a quick chat", or "a fleeting exchange", depending on the specific context and the nuances you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very brief conversation"?

While not strictly incorrect, "a very brief conversation" can be redundant. The word "brief" already implies shortness. You might consider simply using "a brief conversation" or, for added emphasis, choosing a more descriptive adjective like "a fleeting conversation".

What's the difference between "a brief conversation" and "a lengthy discussion"?

"A brief conversation" implies a short, often superficial exchange, while "a lengthy discussion" suggests a more in-depth and extended exploration of a topic. The choice depends on the actual duration and depth of the interaction.