brief hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short duration of time, typically when referring to an hour that feels shorter than usual or is limited in some way. Example: "We only had a brief hour to discuss the project before the meeting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But for that brief hour and a half when I'm conducting the piece, I do".

The Guardian - Music

They were not dwarfed by the square they were standing in, and for a brief hour, their plinth had come.

The Guardian - Opinion

Life is but a walking shadow, but it is my shadow and the brief hour on stage is mine.

The Guardian - Books

During a brief hour of peacetime, I took aside one of my bullies and asked him why people were mocking my nose.

The New York Times

Feeling a bit overwhelmed at having to explain so much in the brief hour we had, I said, "Let's just start with pronunciation".

The New York Times

In 1814, after years of war, Vienna was to enjoy a brief hour of glory before the Austrian economy collapsed and the city sank into a state of dowdy provincialism that lasted for nearly 40 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In what brief hours, while sleeping in the sun,.

The New Yorker

After few brief hours together I could swear Jen and I have known each other forever.

The New York Times

Somehow, we had managed to have lunch for seven and a half brief hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The night wears on, and may contain brief hours of sleep.

The New Yorker

But the fussing and anxiety lasted a few brief hours, and I'm still savoring the flowers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief hour" to emphasize that a particular hour was shorter than expected or insufficient for the task at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "brief hour" when you simply want to state the time. It's best suited for situations where the brevity is notable or problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief hour" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "hour". It describes a specific duration of time, emphasizing its shortness. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief hour" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase, modifying "hour" with the adjective "brief" to emphasize a short duration. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to convey urgency or the fleeting nature of an event. Alternatives include "short hour" or "fleeting hour". When using it, ensure the context warrants highlighting the brevity of the time period. The phrase is suitable for neutral register and aims to express how an amount of time has been reduced, limited or insufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short hour

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the limited duration.

fleeting hour

Focuses on the quick passage of time, suggesting it went by rapidly.

quick hour

Similar to "short hour", highlighting the rapid passage of time.

momentary hour

Emphasizes the very short and transient nature of the hour.

transient hour

Similar to "fleeting hour", stressing the temporary nature.

passing hour

Focuses on the act of the hour going by, often unnoticed.

limited hour

Highlights that the time was constrained or restricted.

compressed hour

Suggests the hour felt shorter or packed with activity.

condensed hour

Similar to "compressed hour", implying a dense or concentrated experience.

abbreviated hour

Formally indicates that the hour was made shorter than normal.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief hour" to describe a short period of time, typically when referring to an hour that feels shorter than usual or is limited in some way. For example: "We only had a "brief hour" to discuss the project before the meeting started."

What can I say instead of "brief hour"?

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

When is it appropriate to use the term "brief hour"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an hour was shorter than expected, insufficient for a task, or passed quickly. This is often used to convey a sense of urgency or lack of time.

Is "brief hour" formal or informal?

The phrase "brief hour" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the situation and the message you want to convey rather than the level of formality.