brief detour

USAGE SUMMARY

"brief detour" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a short diversion from a main path or topic. For example: "We took a brief detour to enjoy the scenic view." Alternative expressions include "short diversion" and "quick sidetrack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their group made a brief detour into a drugstore, prosecutors said.

The New York Times

To understand, we need to take a brief detour into the history of private equity agreements.

The New York Times

But it soon became clear that Lattice was just a brief detour for National Grid.

The New York Times

6.10pm: Let us pause for a brief detour to the land of the living.

The Guardian - Sport

But beware: You may find yourself led onstage for a brief detour before being ushered to your seat.

The New York Times - Arts

She smashed the net cord with her racket, but that was only a brief detour on her path to victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon his discharge in 1946, Brown decided to make a brief detour into tennis before returning to the Cal campus.

The New York Times

No discussion of Indian's history would be complete without a brief detour into the company's bizarre docket.

The New York Times

She made a brief detour as a singer of Christian music, but she still rocks the house.

The New York Times

All East Germans were permitted to leave for the West, with the caveat that they must make a brief detour via Czechoslovak territory in order to get there.

Independent

On Monday evening, Mrs. Clinton made a brief detour from the campaign trail to appear via satellite on "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief detour" to signal a planned, short departure from your primary subject. This helps maintain reader engagement without losing focus.

Common error

In highly formal or academic contexts, excessive use of "brief detour" can appear informal. Prefer more technical synonyms like "short diversion" or "passing digression" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief detour" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes a short-lived deviation from a main course or topic. Ludwig AI indicates consistent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief detour" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a short-lived deviation from a main course or topic. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While generally acceptable, it may be prudent to use more formal alternatives like "short diversion" or "passing digression" in academic or highly professional contexts. The phrase serves to signal a temporary departure, preparing the audience for a related element before returning to the main focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short diversion

Focuses on the act of turning aside briefly from a course or activity; implies a temporary shift but retains the brevity aspect.

quick sidetrack

Emphasizes the speed and incidental nature of the deviation, making it a close synonym when the detour is unplanned.

temporary deviation

Highlights the temporary nature of the change in direction or topic, suitable when duration is the key aspect to convey.

passing digression

Indicates a movement away from the main subject, focusing on the transient character of the shift.

small deviation

Stresses the size or extent of the deviation; appropriate if the intention is to minimize the importance of the detour.

slight digression

Similar to 'passing digression', but might also imply a more formal setting, it is suitable if the tone needs to remain sophisticated.

fleeting divergence

Conveys both the brevity and separation from the original path, is suited where the separation, although short, is worth noting.

short digression

Highlights the short length of the act of moving away from the main subject.

quick deviation

Focuses on the speed of the act of moving away from the original path.

brief excursion

Suggests a short journey or trip away from the main route; use when the detour has an exploratory feel.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief detour" to indicate a short deviation from a main topic or route. For example, "After a brief detour to the coffee shop, we continued our journey".

What's the difference between "brief detour" and "short diversion"?

While both phrases indicate a temporary departure, "brief detour" often implies a physical change in route, whereas "short diversion" can refer to a change in topic or activity. However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

Is "brief detour" too informal for academic writing?

While "brief detour" is generally acceptable, in highly formal academic writing, you might consider alternatives like "temporary deviation" or "passing digression" to maintain a more professional tone.

What are some situations where I might use "brief detour"?

You can use "brief detour" when describing travel routes, project plans, or even in discussions to signal a short, related side topic before returning to the main point.