a brief thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is short in duration or length, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I only have a few minutes, so let's make this a brief thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We had a brief thing in front of the television.

The New Yorker

It's true of Aaron Belz's three teenagers Eli (19), Natalie (18), and Amelia (15)—though he admits the boy had a brief thing with cigarettes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"And within the point which is a very brief thing two human beings are one," says another character, a duellist.

The Economist

"I thought maybe it would be a small brief thing on the evening news.

Independent

that said, we've received a lot of questions today so we liked to say a few brief things about why we decided to shut mixwit down.

TechCrunch

Can you say one last brief thing about one of the songs on the album?

Huffington Post

For a brief moment things looked like they might have been different.

The Guardian - Sport

For a brief moment, things seemed to be looking up at "Community," the intensely loved if not widely watched NBC comedy about misfit students at a small college: it had been narrowly renewed for a fourth season (albeit for only 13 episodes) and its third-season finale on Thursday night concluded with an on-screen display of an optimistic Twitter hashtag: #sixseasonsandamovie.

The New York Times

For a brief time, things got better.

HuffPost

Reese Witherspoon is headed back down the aisle, and her ex-husband has nothing but good (if brief) things to say about it.

Huffington Post

After a brief survey, one thing became clear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief thing" when you want to downplay the importance or duration of something. It's suitable for informal contexts where directness is appreciated.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief thing" in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more professional alternatives like "a concise matter" or "a succinct point" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief thing" functions as a noun phrase, where 'brief' modifies the noun 'thing'. It serves to describe something of short duration or limited importance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something of short duration or limited importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While typically informal, it appears across various contexts including news, academia, and wikis. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "a concise matter" or "a succinct point". Be mindful to adapt your word choice based on the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short matter

Replaces 'thing' with 'matter', emphasizing the topic or subject's conciseness.

a quick item

Substitutes 'thing' with 'item', suggesting a short and simple task or object.

a fleeting moment

Replaces 'brief thing' with 'fleeting moment', highlighting the transient nature.

a concise element

Uses 'concise element' to stress brevity and essentiality.

a short interlude

Implies a brief pause or break.

a passing phase

Suggests a temporary period or stage.

a small detail

Focuses on the insignificance and brevity of something.

a momentary occurrence

Highlights the very short duration of an event.

a succinct point

Emphasizes brevity and directness in communication.

a thumbnail sketch

Uses a metaphor for a brief and basic overview.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Let's keep this meeting a brief thing, as we all have other commitments" or "Our collaboration was just a brief thing, but it was enjoyable".

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

You can use alternatives like "a short matter", "a quick item", or "a fleeting moment" depending on the context.

Is "a brief thing" formal or informal?

"A brief thing" is generally considered informal. For formal situations, consider using phrases such as "a concise issue" or "a succinct point".

When is it appropriate to use "a brief thing"?

It is appropriate in casual conversations, informal emails, or when you want to downplay the significance or duration of something. Avoid using it in formal reports or academic papers.