a few brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a small number of concise items or statements. Example: "I would like to share a few brief thoughts on the matter before we proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few brief points.

The New York Times

It is heard only during a few brief stretches.

The New York Times

It was damp and foggy, but we got a few brief views.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There have been only a few brief trials, but the results have been astounding.

The New Yorker

Please use the form below to answer a few brief questions.

The New York Times

Since then, I have not left Paris, except for a few brief trips".

The New Yorker

• A few brief meetings with prominent actresses, leading to a few auditions.

The New York Times

For our purposes here, they may be embodied in a few brief lines.

The New York Times

Before 1945 the Berlioz repertoire was limited to the Symphonie fantastique and a few brief extracts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Everything here is enjoyable; a few brief passages are first rate.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet there were a few brief moments of candour at the very end.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "a few brief" works well in both formal and informal settings, but for highly formal writing, "several concise" may be more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "a few brief" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "several short" or "a handful of concise" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few brief" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a limited quantity and the concise nature of the noun it modifies. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few brief" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a limited number of concise items or moments. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While prevalent in News & Media, it also appears in academic, scientific, and informal writings. When using "a few brief", remember its primary function is to indicate a small quantity characterized by brevity. To prevent overuse and maintain writing interest, consider synonyms like "several short" or "a handful of concise". By understanding its usage and limitations, you can effectively integrate "a few brief" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several short

Replaces "few" with "several" and "brief" with "short", emphasizing a limited quantity and duration.

some quick

Substitutes "few" with "some" and "brief" with "quick", highlighting speed and limited quantity.

a couple of short

Uses "a couple of" instead of "a few" and "short" instead of "brief", indicating a very small number and short duration.

a handful of concise

Replaces "a few" with "a handful of" and "brief" with "concise", stressing a small quantity and clear expression.

limited concise

Uses "limited" in place of "a few", and "concise" for "brief", stressing the restrictions and precision.

some succinct

Replaces "few" with "some" and "brief" with "succinct", focusing on brevity and clarity.

several fleeting

Substitutes "few" with "several" and "brief" with "fleeting", emphasizing the transient nature.

a small number of short

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive version focusing on the limited amount and duration.

a limited number of concise

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive version focusing on the limited amount and conciseness.

some short-lived

Substitutes "few" with "some" and "brief" with "short-lived", emphasizing the temporary nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few brief" to describe something that is both limited in number and short in duration. For example, "I only have "a few brief" moments to talk" or "Let me share "a few brief" thoughts on the matter".

What are some alternatives to "a few brief"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "several short", "some quick", or "a couple of short" instead of "a few brief".

Is it better to use "a few brief" or "a couple brief"?

Both phrases are understandable, but "a few brief" is generally preferred and more grammatically sound. "A couple brief" omits the preposition "of", making it sound less formal and slightly awkward.

What's the difference between "a few brief" and "a few fleeting"?

"A few brief" emphasizes the short duration and conciseness of something, while "a few fleeting" stresses the transient and quickly disappearing nature of something. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.