all too brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that was shorter in duration than desired or expected, often conveying a sense of regret or longing. Example: "The meeting was all too brief, leaving us with many unanswered questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It's been all too brief.

The Guardian - Sport

The relationship was all too brief, however.

The New York Times

To Keith Olbermann: A welcome, but all too brief, respite.

The New York Times

In our all too brief correspondence, he never e-mailed.

The New Yorker

His heyday as a sports reporter was all too brief.

The Guardian - Sport

We burned brightly, but it was all too brief.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The page proofs are just in and, for an all-too brief time, I get to flip through them.

The Guardian - Books

He provides an all-too-brief dose of wild agitation in a long-winded production.

The New York Times - Arts

"Rooms" is a portrait of strangled emotions, desperate outbursts and all-too-brief respites.

The New York Times - Arts

The great Puerto Rican leader Luis Muñoz Marín puts in an all-too-brief appearance.

The New York Times - Books

Finally, will we ever find out the significance of Don's all-too-brief encounter with custom-car culture?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too brief" to express a sense of loss or dissatisfaction with the brevity of an event or experience. For example, "Our vacation was "all too brief", and we wish we could have stayed longer."

Common error

While appropriate for many situations, avoid overusing "all too brief" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more neutral language if the emotional connotation is not desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too brief" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a noun or verb by expressing the degree to which something is brief. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all too brief" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to express that something was shorter than desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media but can also be found in formal business settings. While versatile, it is essential to consider the tone of your writing. Alternatives such as "all too fleeting" or "regrettably short" can offer subtle variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all too fleeting

Changes the adjective to 'fleeting', emphasizing the quick passing nature.

all too short-lived

Replaces 'brief' with 'short-lived', focusing on the temporary existence.

regrettably short

Uses 'regrettably' to explicitly state the feeling of regret about the short duration.

sadly brief

Emphasizes the sadness associated with the short duration.

lamentably short

Similar to 'regrettably short', but with a more formal tone.

unduly short

Highlights that the duration was inappropriately or unexpectedly short.

disappointingly brief

Directly expresses disappointment about the short duration.

alas, too brief

Adds a sense of sorrow or lament with the interjection 'alas'.

momentary

Uses a single word to emphasize the very short duration.

ephemeral

A more formal and literary term for something that is very short-lived.

FAQs

How can I use "all too brief" in a sentence?

You can use "all too brief" to describe something that was shorter than desired. For example: "The concert was "all too brief", and I wanted to hear more songs."

What are some alternatives to "all too brief"?

Some alternatives to "all too brief" include "all too fleeting", "sadly brief", or "regrettably short".

Is it appropriate to use "all too brief" in formal writing?

While "all too brief" is grammatically correct, consider the context. In highly formal or technical writing, a more neutral phrase like "relatively short" may be more suitable.

What feeling does "all too brief" convey?

"All too brief" conveys a sense of disappointment, regret, or longing because something was not as long as one would have liked. It suggests a negative emotional response to the brevity of the experience.