brief glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief glimpse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick or fleeting look at something, often implying that the view was not comprehensive or detailed. Example: "As I walked past the gallery, I caught a brief glimpse of the stunning artwork displayed in the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

April brought a brief glimpse of hope.

The New York Times

The show provides a brief glimpse of that world.

The New York Times - Arts

Down below, Brown gets a brief glimpse of the sea.

The New Yorker

Recently, the public got a brief glimpse of Zubaydah.

The Washington Post

This chapter gives a brief glimpse into the field of system reliability analysis.

Handbook of Network and System Administration

Every once in a while, though, I got a brief glimpse behind this idyllic curtain.

The New York Times - Travel

But the brief glimpse of the future was muddied by the realities of the present.

The New York Times - Sports

He faded, and so did the Mets' brief glimpse at first place.

The New York Times

There was a brief glimpse of two men sitting facing each other.

The New Yorker

Even a brief glimpse may be enough to help the survey.

The Guardian

The sequence included a brief glimpse of the moon Enceladus as it slipped behind Saturn.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief glimpse" when you want to convey a short, often incomplete, view or understanding of something. It's useful for describing initial impressions or limited exposure.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, overuse of "brief glimpse" can make formal writing sound less precise. Consider more specific alternatives like "cursory analysis" or "preliminary assessment" when detail and accuracy are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief glimpse" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., "caught a "brief glimpse""). It denotes a quick, often incomplete visual experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief glimpse" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a quick, often incomplete, visual experience. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, from News & Media to Academia, although it's most prevalent in journalistic writing. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and conveys a sense of fleeting observation or initial impression. While "brief glimpse" is widely acceptable, be mindful of overuse in formal writing where more precise alternatives might be preferable. As noted in writing guidance, the key is conveying the brevity and incompleteness of a short visual experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick look

Focuses on the speed of the observation, omitting the duration.

fleeting view

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the observation.

short peek

Suggests a more casual or informal observation.

passing glance

Highlights the lack of focused attention during the observation.

cursory look

Implies the observation was not thorough or detailed.

quick sighting

Focuses on the act of seeing something quickly.

momentary view

Highlights the short duration of the observation.

transient look

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the observation.

snap view

Suggests an instantaneous or immediate view.

hasty look

Implies the observation was done quickly and possibly carelessly.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief glimpse" to describe a quick or fleeting look at something. For example, "I caught a "brief glimpse" of the celebrity as they entered the building."

What can I say instead of "brief glimpse"?

You can use alternatives like "quick look", "fleeting view", or "short peek" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "brief glimpse", since a glimpse is already short?

While a glimpse implies a short look, "brief glimpse" can emphasize the brevity and incompleteness of the view, adding a nuanced layer of meaning.

What's the difference between "brief glimpse" and "fleeting moment"?

"Brief glimpse" refers to a visual observation, while "fleeting moment" refers to a short period of time. They are not interchangeable.