a brief distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short amount of space or length between two points. Example: "The store is located just a brief distance from my house, making it easy to walk there."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

How many other railways in Europe link a medieval city, a national park and an area of outstanding natural beauty, along with some of the nation's most unspoilt seaside resorts, over such a brief distance?

Independent

Around the area of the creek, the trail crosses over private property for a brief distance.

Wikipedia

Then, SR 78 intersects with SR 115 east of Brawley, running concurrently with it for a brief distance.

Wikipedia

The route and the river continue northward along parallel routings for a brief distance before the two separate near the hamlet of High Falls.

Wikipedia

Energy is transferred by radiation ions of hydrogen and helium emit photons, which travel only a brief distance before being reabsorbed by other ions.

Wikipedia

In the early 1880s, railroad tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler spent a vacation in the town of St .Augustine, a brief distance south of Jacksonville, and, enchanted with it, decided to build an opulent hotel there.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A brief, distance-based (i.e. no in-person sessions) intervention for parents of preschool-age children identified in a PHC setting and who had concerns about their child's discipline resulted in more rapid improvement in children's behaviour problems and overall psychopathology compared with usual care alone; treatment gains were maintained up to 12 months after the intervention.

Family Practice

In brief, distance matrices of GI comparisons per genome revealed the GIs that have a lower genomic dissimilarity than a conservative threshold sequence to its host genome.

BMC Genomics

These controlling factors may produce extremely different stratal and facies architectures along relatively brief distances in the same basin, but in contrast they also may form similar architectures in basins that experience a radically different tectonic setting.

Earth-Science Reviews

This suggests that this brief, distance-based intervention may be better suited to parents whose children have slightly more severe problems, which we expect would incline them to be more motivated to make changes in their parenting.

Family Practice

After a brief exchange at distance we found the man was out looking for medicine for his dying wife.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing distances, choose "a brief distance" to convey that the space between two points is small but still measurable. Avoid using it when the distance is truly negligible or nonexistent.

Common error

While "a brief distance" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the context. In highly formal or scientific writing, consider using more precise measurements or terms like "short proximity" for greater clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief distance" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun ("distance"). It describes the extent of spatial separation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it conveys that the distance is not large, but still measurable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

28%

News & Media

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief distance" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to indicate a short, measurable spatial separation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides context for its usage. While alternatives like "a short distance" and "nearby" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. This phrase is prevalent in Wiki, news, and science sources, indicating its wide acceptability. It's generally safe to use in most writing scenarios, but be mindful of potentially overly formal contexts where a more precise term may be preferable. Remember that this phrase provides a general sense of proximity rather than a specific measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the small length of the distance.

a small distance

Uses "small" instead of "brief" to describe the distance, focusing on its diminutive size.

a stone's throw

An idiomatic expression implying a very short, easily traversable distance.

close by

Indicates proximity without specifying the exact length of the distance, but implying it is minimal.

nearby

Similar to "close by", suggesting the location is in the immediate vicinity.

a hop, skip, and a jump

An informal and playful way to describe a very short distance.

just around the corner

Implies the destination is very near and easily accessible.

within easy reach

Highlights the accessibility of the location due to its proximity.

a negligible distance

Emphasizes that the distance is so small as to be practically unimportant.

a hair's breadth

An idiom denoting an extremely small distance or margin.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief distance" to indicate that something is located close by, but not immediately adjacent. For example: "The park is a "brief distance" from the school, making it a convenient spot for after-school activities."

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

You can use alternatives like "a short distance", "nearby", or "close by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a brief distance" or "a short distance"?

Both "a brief distance" and "a short distance" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. "A short distance" is slightly more common.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a brief distance"?

"A brief distance" is suitable for general descriptive writing where you want to indicate a relatively small separation between two points. It's commonly found in travel writing, descriptions of locations, and everyday conversation.