all too briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something happened for a shorter duration than desired or expected. Example: "The meeting concluded all too briefly, leaving many topics unaddressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Back in London, Jess befriends an unhappy poet, who eventually attempts suicide and finds himself, all too briefly, in a residential treatment centre.

The Guardian - Books

Told that Jen is dead – really, she just doesn't want to go on another date with him – Bill Crouse Adam Buxtonn) is haunted by the flying decapitated head of the woman he all too briefly loved, just as he is boasting to his colleagues that he was the last person to sleep with her.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All too briefly.

The Economist

With Carol Haney, a star flickered, all too briefly.

The New York Times

With Gemma Arterton, who lights up the action, all too briefly, as a fellow British spy.

The New Yorker

Which meant Canada's Evan Dunfree was – all too briefly – a bronze medal-winner.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Bobby Mitchell and Charley Taylor changed that for me, as did Sonny, and of course all-too briefly, Vince Lombardi.

The Washington Post

But Dunst's perfect day is marred by emotional tensions, not least between her estranged parents, formidably but all-too-briefly played by Charlotte Rampling and John Hurt, and these tensions catastrophically unlock Justine's own tendency towards depression or indeed melancholia.

The Guardian - Film

But just before that he (all-too-briefly) deviated from the usual nepotistic path.

Huffington Post

All-too-briefly in the middle of the show, Judson wears nothing but a jockstrap.

Huffington Post

At the sight of all those undead relatives in the barn, I, too, briefly, came to life".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too briefly" to add a touch of wistfulness or regret when describing a short-lived event or experience. It's especially effective in narrative writing to evoke a sense of longing or loss.

Common error

Avoid using "all too briefly" excessively in formal or technical writing. Opt for more direct and objective language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too briefly" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the shortness of a duration and often conveying a sense of regret or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Arts

22%

Books

19%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too briefly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that adds emphasis and emotion to statements about short-lived events. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media, Arts, and Books categories. While versatile, it's best used in neutral to slightly informal contexts, as its emotional connotation might be unsuitable for strictly formal or scientific writing. Remember to use it to effectively convey a sense of regret or wistfulness when describing something that didn't last long enough.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Far too short

Emphasizes the insufficient length or duration of something.

Much too short

Similar to 'far too short', it indicates that something was shorter than desired.

Regrettably short

Adds a sense of regret that something was not longer.

Unfortunately brief

Indicates that the brevity of something is undesirable.

Lamentably short

Similar to regrettably short, but perhaps slightly more formal.

Sadly fleeting

Highlights that something passed quickly and sadly.

All too quickly

Focuses on the speed with which something ended, which is similar to shortness.

All too soon

Emphasizes the premature nature of something's ending.

In a flash

Emphasizes how rapidly something occurred.

In the blink of an eye

Similar to 'in a flash', it expresses that something happened extremely quickly.

FAQs

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

Use "all too briefly" to describe something that happened for a shorter time than desired. For example: "The vacation ended "all too briefly", and we had to return to work."

What phrases are similar to "all too briefly"?

Alternatives include "far too short", "much too short", or "regrettably short", each adding slightly different nuances of brevity and regret.

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

While grammatically correct, "all too briefly" might be better suited for narrative or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider more objective alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "all too briefly" and "too briefly"?

The addition of "all" in "all too briefly" emphasizes the degree of brevity and often adds a subtle emotional tone, such as regret or disappointment, which might be less pronounced with just "too briefly".