brief appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short or fleeting presence of someone or something in a particular context, such as an event or a scene. Example: "The celebrity made a brief appearance at the charity event before leaving for another engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Politics made a brief appearance.

The Guardian

(Ingrid Bergman makes a brief appearance).

The New York Times - Arts

Clark himself also makes a brief appearance.

The Guardian

A cloud of gnats makes a brief appearance.

The New York Times

Mr Prokhorov made a brief appearance at the rally.

The Economist

Wells's brief appearance in Game 5 jolted the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

In a brief appearance on Monday night, Warner looked tentative.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, about 15 minutes later, the brief appearance ended.

The Guardian - Music

The brief appearance of two paparazzi was puzzling.

The New York Times - Arts

The Heart ballad "Alone" made a brief appearance, courtesy of a discovered boom box.

The New York Times - Arts

Aside from the brief appearance to review the tapes, jurors deliberated for most of the day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's role in a film or play, use "brief appearance" to denote a small, often non-speaking part.

Common error

Avoid using "brief appearance" when you mean a thorough presentation or extensive involvement. The phrase indicates something short and not particularly impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief appearance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "appearance". It describes the characteristic of something or someone being present for only a short time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely used and understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief appearance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term for describing something or someone being present for a short time. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in News & Media and often describes a cameo, visit, or showing. While generally neutral in register, it's important to distinguish it from similar phrases like "short visit" or "fleeting glimpse", and to avoid using it when a more substantial or thorough involvement is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short cameo

Focuses specifically on a very small role, often in film or theater.

fleeting visit

Emphasizes the transient nature of the appearance or visit.

quick showing

Highlights the speed and brevity of the appearance.

passing glimpse

Suggests that the appearance was barely noticeable or only partially seen.

momentary presence

Stresses the extremely short duration of being present.

limited participation

Highlights a small degree of involvement.

token gesture

Conveys that the appearance was more symbolic than substantial.

cursory showing

Implies a superficial or hasty display.

small contribution

Highlights that the appearance did not have a big impact.

incidental participation

Implies that the appearance was unplanned and with minor importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief appearance" to describe a short or fleeting presence, such as "The celebrity made a "brief appearance" at the event" or "The product had a "brief appearance" in the store before selling out".

What's the difference between "brief appearance" and "short visit"?

"Brief appearance" typically refers to a presence in a performance, event, or other public context, while "short visit" is more commonly used for personal or informal situations. However, in some contexts, they might be interchangeable.

Which is correct, "brief appearance" or "fleeting glimpse"?

Both "brief appearance" and "fleeting glimpse" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Brief appearance" suggests a short presence, while "fleeting glimpse" indicates a quick or momentary view.

What can I say instead of "brief appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "short cameo", "fleeting visit", or "quick showing", depending on the context.