a brief sweep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief sweep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or cursory examination or movement over a particular area or subject. Example: "The researcher conducted a brief sweep of the literature to identify key themes in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Prediction from sequence alone is only possible if the time of sampling happens to be during a brief sweep of a large effect mutation.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is in this spirit that the author himself looks back; first over his own family's conflicts, and then, in a brief, extraordinary sweep of vision, over those of the wider world into which he was born.

The New York Times - Books

Having raised their tempo, Rangers managed a brief renaissance when Law swept a first-time half-volley into the top corner of the net after the ball was cleared from a corner kick.

BBC

A minute later, a powerful jolt let everybody know they had finally hit the tarmac and a brief feeling of relief swept the occupants.

Huffington Post

During a brief separation, he said, Günther was swept away in an avalanche.

The New York Times

Officers quickly swept people westward with a brief bombardment of smoke, gas and pepper balls, which explode with an irritant.

The Guardian

For a brief moment, it appeared that the Trump administration would sweep away roadblocks to American nuclear developers.

The Washington Post

Skies were expected to clear Tuesday, giving Californians a brief respite before the next storm was expected to sweep into the region.

The New York Times

It was Christmas Eve , 1979 when the first of eighty thousand troops from the Soviet Union swept across the border, ostensibly on a brief mission to stabilize a restive neighbor.

The New Yorker

Italys leftist parties compromised themselves in a brief two-year stint in office, before Mr. Berlusconi swept them out in April of last year.

Huffington Post

For a brief moment, it looked as if Arab autocrats were being swept away like rotting driftwood in a storm.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brief sweep", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being quickly examined or covered.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief sweep" when a more detailed or comprehensive review is actually performed. The phrase suggests a quick and not particularly deep look.

Linguistic Context

A brief sweep functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Based on Ludwig AI analysis, it refers to a quick or cursory examination or movement. This usage is supported by examples showing its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A brief sweep" is a phrase used to describe a quick or superficial examination of something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and understandable, although its usage is relatively rare. The analysis suggests it's most commonly found in news and science contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While there are various alternatives, like "a quick scan" or "a cursory review", choosing the right one depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "a brief sweep" when you want to indicate a light, rather than thorough, examination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick scan

This alternative replaces 'sweep' with 'scan', implying a rapid but comprehensive look.

a cursory review

This substitutes 'brief' with 'cursory' and 'sweep' with 'review', emphasizing a lack of thoroughness.

a short overview

This option uses 'short' instead of 'brief' and 'overview' instead of 'sweep', offering a more general synonym.

a fleeting glance

This replaces 'brief' with 'fleeting' and 'sweep' with 'glance', suggesting a very quick and superficial look.

a rapid assessment

This uses 'rapid' instead of 'brief' and 'assessment' instead of 'sweep', focusing on a quick evaluation.

a swift survey

This substitutes 'brief' with 'swift' and 'sweep' with 'survey', implying a fast and broad examination.

a quick examination

This replaces 'sweep' with 'examination', suggesting a more formal and detailed inspection, though still brief.

a concise inspection

This replaces 'brief' with 'concise' and 'sweep' with 'inspection', focusing on a brief but thorough examination.

a speedy check

This substitutes 'brief' with 'speedy' and 'sweep' with 'check', implying a quick verification.

a light touch

This alternative is more idiomatic, suggesting a minimal or delicate handling of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brief sweep" to describe a quick examination or overview of something. For example, "The analyst conducted "a brief sweep" of the financial reports to identify any immediate red flags."

What's a good alternative to "a brief sweep"?

Alternatives to "a brief sweep" include phrases like "a quick scan", "a cursory review", or "a short overview" depending on the context.

Is "a brief sweep" formal or informal?

"A brief sweep" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both professional and informal contexts, but less suited to highly formal or academic writing. It is recommended to pick one of the alternatives to "a brief sweep" such as "a rapid assessment" or "a concise inspection" for more formal usage.

What does "a brief sweep" imply about the depth of the examination?

"A brief sweep" suggests a superficial or cursory examination rather than a thorough or in-depth analysis. It implies that only the most obvious or important aspects are considered.