a brief portion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief portion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or short segment of something, such as a text, speech, or presentation. Example: "In this report, I will summarize a brief portion of the findings from our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

B. B. King, appearing after 1 a.m. as the headliner, offered only a brief portion of his joyfully exasperated vocals and cutting guitar solos.

The New York Times - Arts

It caused him to miss most of the preseason, a brief portion of the Giants' 35-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers 10 days ago and nearly all of practice last week.

The New York Times

The muted celebration of progress was tempered -- as are all events at the trade center site -- by the inescapable shadow of 2,749 lost lives, including that of Officer Clinton Davis of the Port Authority Police Department, whose 13-year-old son, Julian, read a brief portion of the Declaration of Independence from the dais.

The New York Times

As can be seen from our chordate examples, most of the characters that define the chordate body plan are transitory and are only present during a brief portion of the embryonic period.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

A brief portion of this study focused on ternary blends of nylon 6, maleated polyethylene and nonmaleated polyethylene; in general, the impact properties of these blends improved as the nylon 6 molecular weight increased and as the ratio of maleated polyethylene to nonmaleated polyethylene increased.

Polymer

The museum has interactive video displays that allowed you to push a button, hear a story and watch a brief portion of an interview.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

During the brief portion of the meeting where shareholders could present proposals, criticisms were strong.

The New York Times

As the morning shows unfurled lavish Reagan tributes, Mr. Bush's speech was snipped and wedged into news updates by television correspondents who sought to tie the presidential trip to the bigger story back home; most viewers saw only the brief portion in which the current president paid tribute to the late president.

The New York Times

The primary guides are often family men, and while I'm not a relative, they tend to treat me like one, acting like a father, brother, or uncle for brief portions of the trip.

The New York Times - Travel

You may be able to reuse brief portions or ideas from a paper you previously submitted, but only if you first get your instructor's permission and include a self-citation.

WikiHow

But in the last year, he has begun reading the "one-year" Bible, 365 brief portions that can each be read in a few minutes daily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief portion", ensure it accurately reflects the relative size of the segment you're describing. If the segment is more substantial, consider alternatives like "a significant portion" or "a considerable segment".

Common error

Avoid using "a brief portion" when the section you're referring to is actually quite extensive or important. Overusing the phrase can diminish the perceived importance of key details in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief portion" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "portion". It is used to identify a limited or short part of a larger whole, as evidenced by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief portion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a small or short segment of something larger. As Ludwig confirms, it finds application across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. While versatile, it is most appropriate for scenarios where accuracy and clarity are important. Remember to use it when you specifically want to highlight the limited size of the section or information you are referring to. When a more significant segment is involved, alternatives like "a significant portion" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short part

Replaces "brief portion" with simpler synonyms emphasizing brevity and being a part of something.

a short segment

Replaces "brief portion" with a direct and straightforward alternative, keeping a very close meaning.

a small segment

Substitutes "portion" with "segment", highlighting the idea of a distinct piece or section that is small.

a limited excerpt

Replaces "brief" with "limited" and "portion" with "excerpt", emphasizing that the selected part has restrictions and is taken from a larger text.

a concise section

Emphasizes the brevity and completeness of the piece, but it's still just a part of the entirety.

a limited piece

Highlights that the segment is restricted in terms of length or scope.

a small fragment

Highlights the small and incomplete nature of the part, implying it might be broken off from something larger.

a fleeting glimpse

Highlights that the part is observed or experienced very quickly, it can be figurative.

a quick glimpse

Replaces "brief" with "quick", underlining the fast nature of the look or observation.

a snippet

Indicates a small and interesting part, often taken from a larger work.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief portion" to describe a short segment of something larger. For example, "The presentation included "a brief portion" of the company's financial results."

What are some alternatives to "a brief portion"?

Alternatives include "a short part", "a small segment", or "a concise section", depending on the context.

Is "a brief portion" formal or informal?

"A brief portion" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it is more commonly found in professional or academic contexts.

When should I use "a brief portion" versus "a significant portion"?

Use "a brief portion" when referring to a small or short part. Use "a significant portion" when referring to a larger, more substantial part of something.