a brief glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quick or fleeting look at something. Example: "As I walked past the gallery, I caught a brief glimpse of the stunning artwork displayed in the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

April brought a brief glimpse of hope.

The New York Times

The show provides a brief glimpse of that world.

The New York Times - Arts

Down below, Brown gets a brief glimpse of the sea.

The New Yorker

Recently, the public got a brief glimpse of Zubaydah.

The Washington Post

This chapter gives a brief glimpse into the field of system reliability analysis.

Handbook of Network and System Administration

Every once in a while, though, I got a brief glimpse behind this idyllic curtain.

The New York Times - Travel

There was a brief glimpse of two men sitting facing each other.

The New Yorker

Even a brief glimpse may be enough to help the survey.

The Guardian

The sequence included a brief glimpse of the moon Enceladus as it slipped behind Saturn.

The New York Times - Science

A brief glimpse, but enough to tempt me back another day.

The Guardian

Plus we know why – if you're lucky – you might get a brief glimpse of nirvana.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief glimpse" to create a sense of intrigue or mystery, implying that the full picture is not immediately available. For example: "The trailer offered a brief glimpse of the protagonist's hidden powers."

Common error

Avoid using "a brief glimpse" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a quick look" or "a fleeting view" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief glimpse" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'to catch a brief glimpse'). As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to describe a short or fleeting look at something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief glimpse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that means a quick or fleeting look. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions as a noun phrase and is frequently found in News & Media, academic papers, and various forms of general writing. It's used to convey that only a limited amount of visual information was obtained, often suggesting incompleteness or a hint of something more. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "a quick look" or "a fleeting view" to maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting glimpse

Emphasizes the momentary and transient nature of the view.

a quick look

Highlights the speed and brevity of the observation.

a brief look

Slightly more general, simply denoting a short observation.

a passing glance

Suggests a casual and often unintentional view.

a short peek

Implies a secretive or surreptitious viewing.

a brief overview

Focuses on providing a summary or outline rather than a visual look.

a swift view

Highlights the speed in which something is viewed.

a snapshot

Implies a captured moment, more static and less about the act of viewing.

a short view

More straightforward description about a moment in time.

a hint

Focuses on an indirect indication rather than a direct visual experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief glimpse" to describe seeing something for a very short time, such as, "The article provided "a brief glimpse" into the future of technology".

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

You can use alternatives like "a quick look", "a fleeting view", or "a passing glance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a brief glimpse" or "a briefly glimpse"?

"A brief glimpse" is correct. "Brief" is an adjective modifying the noun "glimpse". "Briefly" is an adverb and would not be grammatically correct in this phrase.

What's the difference between "a brief glimpse" and "a quick look"?

While both phrases indicate a short observation, ""a brief glimpse"" might suggest a more unintentional or incomplete view, whereas "a quick look" can imply a deliberate, though short, observation.