brief digression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief digression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a short departure from the main topic or subject in a discussion or text. Example: "Before we continue with the main argument, I would like to make a brief digression about the historical context of this issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

(Brief digression: It's interesting how often a particular patient, vividly remembered, sparks a researcher's efforts.

The New York Times

It's as if the entire novel moves in the ghostly shadows of that brief digression.

The Guardian

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But since most of the monologue is delivered in Russian (with brief digressions into English) only those conversant with the language will be able to grasp the more nuanced details of K.I.'s plight.

The New York Times

"I speak from the brain but I also speak from the heart," he said, rambling like a rich know-it-all uncle – "I'm bringing back the jobs from China!" – with brief digressions into self-pity: "Macy's was very disloyal to me.

The Guardian

A brief theoretical digression: The Grossman-Stiglitz paradox holds that you can't have a perfectly efficient market because that requires someone to be willing to arbitrage away any inefficient price.

HuffPost

The Telegraph felt she was "never better" but Variety described her character's storyline as "a brief narrative digression in which Malick seems at least as interested in the horses on Jane's ranch as he is in the woman herself".

Wikipedia

"Ugh!" Pointing out (in one of this book's brief historical digressions) that the Greeks were able to find soporific effects in lettuce, she has very little luck with the supposedly more sophisticated prescription remedies available today.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief digression" to signal a short, intentional departure from your main topic, ensuring your audience understands you're acknowledging the tangent and will return to the primary subject.

Common error

Avoid frequent digressions as they can confuse your audience and weaken your main argument. Use "brief digression" sparingly to maintain focus and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief digression" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a temporary shift away from the main subject. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to indicate an intentional tangent that the speaker or writer will soon return from. Examples show this phrase used to introduce related but not essential information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief digression" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to signal a short departure from the main topic, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to manage the flow of information, ensuring coherence in communication. While versatile across different communication scenarios, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, it is best to signal the intention and ensure the digression remains brief to avoid confusing your audience. Consider alternatives like "short detour" or "quick tangent" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short detour

Replaces "digression" with "detour", emphasizing a change in direction, but remains concise.

quick tangent

Substitutes "digression" with "tangent", implying a sudden and possibly unrelated shift in topic, while keeping the brevity.

small deviation

Uses more formal terms, replacing "brief" and "digression" with "small" and "deviation", maintaining a similar meaning.

slight aside

Replaces "digression" with "aside", suggesting a brief comment or remark that is not directly related to the main point.

passing remark

Focuses on the brevity of the deviation, indicating a comment made in passing that doesn't significantly interrupt the main discussion.

momentary detour

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the deviation, suggesting a short-lived departure from the main subject.

fleeting tangent

Highlights the transient nature of the shift, implying a quick and almost imperceptible change in topic.

incidental deviation

Stresses that the digression is not essential to the main topic, being more of a side note.

brief excursus

Offers a more formal and literary synonym for "digression", indicating a temporary departure from the main subject in a written work.

cursory departure

Underscores the superficial and short-lived nature of the deviation, suggesting it's not a deep or significant divergence.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief digression" to signal a short departure from the main topic, as in "Before I explain this point further, allow me a "brief digression" to provide some context."

What are some alternatives to "brief digression"?

Alternatives include "short detour", "quick tangent", or "slight aside", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to announce a "brief digression"?

While not always necessary, announcing a "brief digression" can help your audience understand your train of thought and prevent confusion, especially in formal writing or presentations.

What's the difference between a "brief digression" and a simple explanation?

A "brief digression" is a temporary departure from the main subject to discuss something related but not essential, whereas a simple explanation directly supports and clarifies the main point.