a brief span of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief span of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a relatively short, but significant interval of time. For example: "We accomplished a lot in a brief span of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Clearly she has in a brief span of time learned to make the camera do her bidding.

The New York Times

Experts say there has never before been In attempt to inoculate so many Americans in such a brief span of time as that envisaged in the President's announcement.

The New York Times

She was probably best remembered for her conceptualist works: colour diptychs and triptychs depicting street photography, notably the whizzing by of vehicles in a brief span of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a brief span of time, she would need to process her trauma; decide that making a report was in her best interest; and, perhaps, press criminal charges or find a lawyer.

The New York Times

It's a Texan family saga condensed into a brief span of time (a little more than a year) and it's filled with enough backstory for a season of soap opera (and the movie does run two-and-a-half hours, which never drag).

The New Yorker

However, owing to the swift development of new molecules containing this nucleus, many research reports have been generated in a brief span of time.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's simply that any brief span of time, probed in sufficient detail, will be found to contain plenty of them: the changing witness reports and reports about the weapons involved; the quote in the newspaper, purportedly from the school principal who had, in fact, been killed; the seemingly strange lack of records concerning the recent life of Adam Lanza.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet -- the near-destruction of the European Jews, in a very brief span of time, by a sophisticated European nation using the best technology available was, it seems, an event that requires constant reexplanation, not least because it really did shape subsequent European and world history in untold ways.

The Washington Post

As the tumultuous decade of the 1960s ended, a number of very traditional, very conservative, highly prestigious colleges and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom decided to go coed, seemingly all at once, in a remarkably brief span of time.

Princeton University

Sixty years is but a blink of an eye in the course of history, but in that brief span of time the world has become a different place for children entirely.

Unicef

De Kerangal crams an enormous amount of insight and information into this brief span of time.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief span of time" to emphasize that despite being short, the period was significant or impactful. For example, "Significant changes occurred in a brief span of time."

Common error

Avoid using "a brief span of time" repeatedly in the same paragraph. Vary your language with synonyms like "a short period of time" or "a short duration" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief span of time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by specifying the duration of an action or event. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in describing periods where notable changes or activities occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief span of time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a short duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. When writing, aim to highlight that despite the brevity, something significant occurred during that time, but make sure you don't overuse the phrase. Consider alternatives like "a short period of time" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short period of time

Replaces "span" with the more common "period", slightly altering the emphasis.

a brief period

Simplifies the phrase by removing "of time", making it more concise.

a short duration

Substitutes "span of time" with the single word "duration", emphasizing the length.

a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the quick, almost imperceptible nature of the time period.

a quick interval

Replaces "span of time" with "interval", suggesting a pause or break that is brief.

a momentary period

Combines "momentary" to highlight the transience of the time.

a snap of the fingers

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme brevity.

a short while

Utilizes a more colloquial expression for a short amount of time.

a split second

Refers to the smallest unit of time, suggesting something almost instantaneous.

a concise timeframe

Replaces "span of time" with a more business-oriented term "timeframe", emphasizing a limited schedule.

FAQs

What does "a brief span of time" mean?

The phrase "a brief span of time" refers to a short or limited duration. It implies that something happens or exists for only a short period.

How can I use "a brief span of time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe events that occur quickly or periods that are short. For example, "The company's success was achieved in "a brief span of time"."

What are some alternatives to "a brief span of time"?

Alternatives include "a short period of time", "a short duration", or "a fleeting moment", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a brief span of time" and "a short span of time"?

While similar, "a brief span of time" may slightly emphasize the significance or impact within that short period, whereas "a short span of time" simply highlights the limited duration.