a short period of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a short period of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a short amount of time that has elapsed or a short amount of time that is expected to elapse. For example: "They completed the project in a short period of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I wasn't a governor for a short period of time.

The New York Times

And for a short period of time, they're right.

The New York Times

And within a short period of time, everything was gone".

The New York Times

And in such a short period of time, also.

The New York Times

She was unconscious for a short period of time".

Independent

Generally heal well in a short period of time.

The New York Times

Marketplaces change radically in a short period of time.

TechCrunch

"I was the one for a short period of time.

BBC

Yes, but it was for a short period of time.

Forbes

treated rats in a short period of time (28 days).

Neuroscience Letters

In a short period of time, the quality of listings improved and number of options increased.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a short period of time", ensure the context clearly defines what is considered short, as this is subjective. For instance, "The medication takes effect within a short period of time, usually about 30 minutes."

Common error

Don't use "a short period of time" without providing any relative context, which makes the statement meaningless. Instead of saying "The effects will disappear in a short period of time", specify the duration: "The effects will disappear in a few hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a short period of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a short period of time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating a brief duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "short" means to avoid vagueness. For greater impact, consider using more specific alternatives like "a few minutes" or "a brief duration" when appropriate. Despite its wide applicability, remember that specificity often enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief duration

Emphasizes brevity using "duration" instead of "period of time".

a small interval

Replaces "period" with "interval" and "short" with "small", maintaining a similar meaning.

a few moments

Uses "moments" to specify a very short and limited duration.

a little while

Uses more informal language to indicate a short duration.

a concise timeframe

Replaces "short" with "concise" and "period of time" with "timeframe", suggesting efficiency and brevity.

a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient nature of the time period.

a quick spell

Uses "spell" to refer to a short period, implying a temporary state.

a temporary phase

Highlights the limited duration and transitional nature of the period.

a snap of the fingers

Idiomatic expression emphasizing how quickly something occurs.

a twinkle of an eye

Idiomatic expression emphasizing how quickly something occurs.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a short period of time"?

You can use alternatives like "a brief duration", "a little while", or "a fleeting moment" depending on the context.

How do I use "a short period of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a short period of time" to describe the duration of an event or activity. For example: "The meeting will only last for a short period of time".

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "a short period of time"?

In many cases, being specific is preferable. Instead of saying "It will take a short period of time", you could say "It will take about 15 minutes".

What's the difference between "a short period of time" and "a long period of time"?

"A short period of time" refers to a brief duration, while "a long period of time" refers to an extended duration. The distinction depends on the context and what is considered short or long.