as a brief digression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a brief digression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a short departure from the main topic to provide additional information or context. Example: "As a brief digression, I would like to mention the historical background of this issue before we continue with our main discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a brief digression to defend the firing, last summer, of James Comey, the F.B.I. director — "Well, I turned out to do the right thing" — the President repeated, "So we'll see what happens".

The New Yorker

In a brief digression on laughter, Valentine explained how he'd identified 12 stimuli that made his kids chuckle, ranging from tickling, mild shock and mere repetition, to teasing, incongruity and the sight of a bright or pleasing object.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then, after a brief digression, he admitted that he was "still sore" that Vance had resigned in April 1980 over the decision to try to rescue the Americans held hostage in Iran.

The New York Times - Magazine

So much I have decided to say by way of a brief digression from my geographical description.

University of Chicago

In the latter half of the podcast, Ed and I discuss my recent purchase of the Alienware Alpha gaming/media center PC-console hybrid (with a brief digression to talk about how awful the Oculus Rift can be to use).

TechCrunch

After a brief digression about Fallon's sexuality ("I used to think you were so gay"), Stern urged the host to abandon his show's signature quirks in favor of  a long, topical monologue.

Los Angeles Times

O.K., a brief digression: the Federal Reserve doesn't actually print money (the Treasury does that).

The New York Times

One of the supreme achievements of 19th-century mathematics was the prime number theorem, and it is worth a brief digression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A brief digression about crafting; Firor says Skyrim players should expect a familiar system, and also mentions the ability to enchant weapons.

The Guardian - Tech

If you'll pardon a brief digression, it's not even clear you need the third-party doctrine to say that the records don't implicate the user's Fourth Amendment rights.

The Washington Post

For the second observation, we note a more linguistic reformulation of Rautenberg's result, for which we first need a brief digression on defined connectives.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "as a brief digression" with a concise and focused statement to keep the divergence short and prevent reader disengagement.

Common error

Avoid lengthy diversions after introducing the phrase "as a brief digression". Keep the tangential information concise and directly relevant to the primary topic to prevent losing the reader's focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a brief digression" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the subsequent clause by indicating a temporary departure from the main topic. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and usable. It prepares the reader for a short, related point.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a brief digression" is a phrase used to introduce a short departure from the main topic, providing additional context or related information. While Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, its usage is not very common given the limited number of examples. When using this phrase, ensure the digression remains brief and relevant to prevent losing the reader's attention. Consider alternatives such as "as a short aside" or "as a quick tangent" for variations in tone. Although the example count is low, this phrase can be a useful signal for readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a short aside

Replaces "brief digression" with "short aside", maintaining the sense of a temporary deviation.

as a quick tangent

Substitutes "brief digression" with "quick tangent", emphasizing the abruptness of the change in topic.

on a slight tangent

Similar to "as a quick tangent" but slightly less direct.

by way of a short digression

Rephrases the introduction to emphasize the manner in which the departure is made.

just a brief detour

Uses "detour" instead of "digression", suggesting a planned deviation.

as a passing remark

Implies the digression is a casual observation.

as an incidental note

Highlights the digression as supplementary information.

let me digress briefly

A more direct and personal way to introduce the digression.

if I may briefly diverge

Adds a formal tone and seeks permission for the digression.

before I move on, a quick note

Signals a brief addition before returning to the main topic.

FAQs

How can I use "as a brief digression" in a sentence?

You can use "as a brief digression" to introduce a short, related point that isn't the main focus. For example: "As a brief digression, it's worth noting the historical context before discussing the current situation."

What are some alternatives to "as a brief digression"?

Alternatives include "as a short aside", "as a quick tangent", or "just a brief detour", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a brief digression"?

It's appropriate when you want to add related but non-essential information without disrupting the flow of your main argument. The key is to keep the "brief digression" short and relevant.

How formal is the phrase "as a brief digression"?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal side. Consider your audience when deciding if a more casual alternative like "as a passing remark" might be more appropriate.