a brief length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief length" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to something that has a short duration or extent, but it is more typical to use "a short length" instead. Example: "The presentation was limited to a brief length, making it easy to follow."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Such a brief length of time would be far different from the current practice when campaigns often last two months, giving companies time to persuade workers to vote against a union.

The New York Times

After apoptosis, there is a brief length of time corresponding to the late-log phase (about 24 hours) when these bacilli transform from the log to the stationary phase (Figures 9 and 11) and can be killed by any macrophage once phagocytosed irrespective of their activation status[79].

Plosone

This small dosage has a brief length of action, and central sensitization may have been generated when the pharmacological action of ketamine ended.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The reasons for this may be that the severity of patients is so high as to make it difficult to administer a questionnaire, brief lengths of stay in many instances, the challenges that patients might not be able to accurately identify who among the professionals they see are physical therapists, or also which treatments they received were physical therapy interventions.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

But its bright colors, high spirits, brisk pace, brief length and familiar characters making a lot of noise will doubtless seem an oasis of entertainment to many parents seeking a diversion for children on a hot, humid summer day.

The New York Times

Therefore, it is conceivable that ketamine, because of its brief length of action, must be given as a continuous infusion to inhibit the intraoperative noxious stimuli and the 'wind up' occurrence.

F1000Research

As seen in the You Tube video (starting at 4 09) the host was congratulating Banderas on his 17 years of marriage to Melanie Griffith - "an eternity in Hollywood" he called it - when she mentioned the brief length of Kim Kardashian's marriage and her recent divorce filing.

Huffington Post

Even at its brief length, though, the play begins to feel padded, as Mr. Mamet repeats rather than expands.

The New York Times

The British historian Paul Johnson manages to make "Humorists," his collection of 14 biographical essays about funny people, fairly pedestrian for most of its brief length.

The New York Times - Books

Where the brutally brief length of The Scarlatti Tilt makes it one of the best flash fictions ever written, other pieces feel boil-in-the-bag, or half-formed, more musings than anything else.

The Guardian - Books

And while it's tempting to think that the brief length was due to rapid technological changes that usher in the next shiny new thing more and more quickly, that's just not the case here.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing time, consider more common alternatives like "short duration" or "brief period" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "brief length" excessively in formal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound awkward. Opt for alternatives like "short duration" or "limited time" to enhance the readability and flow of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief length" functions as a descriptive modifier, specifying the duration or extent of something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase, while grammatically sound, might sound awkward and suggests using alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief length" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to describe something of short duration or extent. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, it's not the most common or natural-sounding choice. More frequent and clearer alternatives include "short duration" or "limited time". While it appears across various contexts, from news to science, its relatively low frequency suggests using it judiciously. Consider more common alternatives for enhanced clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short duration

Replaces 'brief length' with a more common term for time.

a limited extent

Focuses on the limited scope or range rather than the physical length.

a concise duration

Uses 'concise' to emphasize brevity and clarity.

a fleeting interval

Highlights the transient nature of the duration.

a momentary period

Emphasizes the very short nature of the time frame.

a quick span

Uses 'quick' to denote speed and shortness.

a reduced time

Focuses on the act of shortening the time.

a miniature size

Shifts the focus to physical dimension being small.

a truncated span

Highlights the shortened or cut-off nature of the duration.

a compressed interval

Emphasizes the squeezed or shortened nature of the timeframe.

FAQs

What does "a brief length" mean?

The phrase "a brief length" refers to something that is short in duration or physical extent. It indicates that something lasts for a short time or has a small physical size.

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

You can use alternatives like "a short duration", "a brief period", or "a limited time" depending on the context.

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

While both phrases are understandable, "a short length" is generally more common and natural-sounding. "A brief length" is less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward.

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

You can use "a brief length" to describe the duration of an event or the physical extent of an object. For example, "The presentation was limited to a brief length to keep the audience engaged."