a brief power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short duration of influence, authority, or energy in various contexts, such as literature or discussions about leadership. Example: "The leader held a brief power over the committee, making quick decisions before the vote was taken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

(The first one ran eight, including a brief power failure).

The New York Times

The building weathered Hurricane Sandy well, with just a brief power outage.

The New York Times

Even a brief power interruption causes the stadium's high-intensity metal halide lights to go out.

The New York Times

The fire also caused a brief power failure that affected several homes nearby.

The New York Times

The command center at the plant suffered a brief power outage before 7 pm on Monday evening.

Independent

After what seems to have been a brief power struggle, Tutankhaten, who was eight or nine, was put on the throne.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

After days of blockades and strikes, fuel depots have been liberated by police and petrol supply almost restored to normal, but strike action on Thursday caused a brief power-cut to about 125,000 homes in Loire-Atlantique as the focus switched to electricity supply.

The Guardian

In a four-day visit, said the man, a Western scholar, there was only one brief power failure, and the huge statue of North Korea's founding president, Kim Il-sung, remained lighted overnight in central Pyongyang.

The New York Times

Annoyances abound, including brief power outages that force a return to the battery-charging base station that also serves as a synchronizing cradle for most (but not all) Handspring models.

Forbes

The blundering motel scenes in which they attempt to do so have a brief, brutal power that promises much, but Cianfrance doesn't push it to its extremes; rather, he drops it, vitiates its force in a cut, to events hours later, in which trivial screenplay incidents push the plot to his desired (but utterly artificial) conclusions.

The New Yorker

After Williams served his penalty, the Flyers made the best of their brief power play, as Keith Primeau whistled a shot past Brodeur from just outside the left circle to put Philadelphia ahead by 2-0 at 13 32.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a brief power", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of power is being referred to (e.g. political, electrical, personal) and why its brevity is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief power" without specifying the type of power you're discussing. Without context, the phrase can be vague and lack impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief power" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "power". It describes a state or condition of having power for a limited duration. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, from political struggles to electrical interruptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brief power" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a limited period of authority, influence, or energy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found in various contexts, most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what type of power is being referenced. While it's generally neutral, avoid overgeneralization to maintain precision in your writing. Related phrases include "a short period of influence" and "a momentary authority", offering alternatives to express similar concepts. The phrase is found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short period of influence

Emphasizes the limited time frame of the influence.

a momentary authority

Highlights the fleeting nature of the authority.

a temporary control

Focuses on the limited duration of the control exerted.

a fleeting dominance

Underscores the transient aspect of the dominance.

a limited reign

Implies a restricted time frame of rule or governance.

a passing influence

Highlights that the influence is not permanent and will fade away.

a short burst of energy

Focuses on the limited duration of energy.

a concise authority

Implies authority is held for a short duration.

a restricted power

Highlights that the power is kept in check.

a limited authority

Highlights that the authority is kept in check.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief power" to describe a short period of authority, influence, or energy. For example, "The coup resulted in "a brief power" struggle before a new government was formed."

What are some synonyms for "a brief power"?

Synonyms include "a short period of influence", "a momentary authority", or "a temporary control", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a brief power" or "brief power"?

The inclusion of the article "a" depends on the sentence structure. "A brief power" is generally used when the phrase acts as a noun, while "brief power" might be used as a modifier, but it is less common.

What's the difference between "a brief power" and "a brief power outage"?

"A brief power" refers to a short period of influence or authority, while "a brief power outage" refers specifically to a short interruption of electrical power. They have completely different meanings and contexts.