albeit a brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "albeit a brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a concession or acknowledgment of something that is true, even if it is limited in scope or duration. Example: "The meeting was productive, albeit a brief discussion on the main issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Brazil's economy suffered recession, albeit a brief and mild one.

The Economist

Temperley doesn't spend much time explaining how she became the rage, albeit a brief one.

The New Yorker

And it was Byron who wrote the very first vampire story in our literature, albeit a brief one.

Independent

He did have an international career, albeit a brief one, making a single friendly appearance for the Republic of Ireland before being subbed at half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

THOSE who feared that Europe's plan for a single currency might fall apart without Helmut Kohl can heave a sigh of relief, albeit a brief one.

The Economist

The moon also hinders observations of the Geminids in December and the rarely-seen Draconids which may produce the year's strongest display, albeit a brief one, on 8 October.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But this year, Nadal, Roddick and Murray all took their shots at the mentality that send them out on slippery courts on Wednesday, albeit for a brief quarter hour.

The New York Times - Sports

When Bill Belichick replaced Parcells as coach -- albeit for a brief period -- he, too, was willing to break with Jets tradition and work out a new deal, according to Johnson.

The New York Times - Sports

All the women Don has shown an interest in - department store owner Rachel Menken, bohemian illustrator Midge, and Helen Bishop (albeit just a brief flirt in the garden) - are strong independent types, who explicitly don't need Don in their lives.

The Guardian

If Moss does not join the team today, it would be the Jets' first holdout -- albeit, probably a brief one -- since James Farrior joined the team four days late in 1997.

The New York Times - Sports

These are chaotic times for Qualcomm, which is fielding unwanted acquisition interest from Broadcom and battling Apple in court, but today it put the focus back on supporting upcoming technologies, albeit for a brief moment.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "albeit a brief", ensure the contrast you're introducing is clear. The phrase is most effective when it directly precedes the characteristic it modifies, emphasizing its limited nature.

Common error

Avoid using "albeit a brief" when there is no clear contrast or concession being made. This phrase should highlight a characteristic that exists but is limited or short-lived, not just describe something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "albeit a brief" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to concede or acknowledge a limitation regarding the duration or extent of a preceding statement. It adds a nuance of contrast, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "albeit a brief" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that conveys a concession regarding the limited duration or scope of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's effectively employed to qualify a statement with a nuanced contrast. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, it offers a formal yet widely applicable way to acknowledge limitations while still affirming the existence of a characteristic. When incorporating it, ensure that a clear contrast is present and that its modifying role is direct, preventing misuse or ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

albeit limited in time

Rephrases to explicitly state the limitation is in time.

though short-lived

Focuses on the short duration, replacing "brief" with "short-lived".

even if fleeting

Emphasizes the transient nature, using "fleeting" instead of "brief".

though momentary

Highlights the very short duration, using "momentary" for emphasis.

even if only for a moment

Emphasizes the brevity by specifying "only for a moment".

though not lasting long

Rephrases "brief" to "not lasting long" for clarity.

while concise

Focuses on brevity and conciseness rather than duration.

although limited

Shifts the focus from time to scope or extent.

even when curtailed

Implies that something was shortened or restricted.

though truncated

Highlights that something has been cut short.

FAQs

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

Use "albeit a brief" to introduce a quality or characteristic that is true but limited in scope or duration. For example, "The economic recovery was significant, "albeit a brief" one".

What are some alternatives to "albeit a brief"?

You can use alternatives like "though short-lived", "even if fleeting", or "although limited" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "albeit a brief"?

Yes, "albeit a brief" is grammatically correct when used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying element. It indicates that something is true, even if it's only for a short time or to a limited extent.

What's the difference between "albeit a brief" and "although brief"?

"Albeit" is a more formal and slightly archaic alternative to "although". Both can be used to introduce a concession, but ""albeit a brief"" might add a touch more emphasis on the contrast than "although brief".