brief inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

"brief inspection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a quick look at something or someone. For example: After the brief inspection, the doctor declared the patient healthy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Removing the item for a brief inspection would tell the rest.

The New York Times

After a brief inspection, a security camera and microphones were found behind the air-conditioner.

The New York Times

After a brief inspection, the team will wrap the items in protective foam and transport them to a number of laboratories across England.

The Guardian

I write from experience with some clients who wanted an expensive house but the seller was not willing to allow a brief inspection period.

The Washington Post

The neighborhood Mr. Bush visited was relatively well-off decades ago, residents said as they waited for the president to finish a brief inspection of new houses.

The New York Times

So, after a brief inspection from the safety of an adjacent bridge, we shot the white water to great whoops of excitement.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

While it does occasional brief inspections of foreign planes landing in America, it does not rate airlines.

The New York Times

We know that 16 schools were given only brief inspections (so-called "section 8s" in the jargon) and five schools were given full-blown inspections ("section 5s").

BBC

Poor quality of original recordings: We also did a brief audio inspection of each tape before digitization.

Duke University

In addition, brief visual inspection of the significance-ranked list of genes reveals that many other top-ranked genes are involved in a variety of processes related to aging, hormonal synthesis and signaling, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.

Plosone

Handling included weighing and a brief physical inspection.

Biology Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the brevity of the inspection is appropriate and does not imply negligence or inadequacy.

Common error

Avoid using "brief inspection" when you actually mean a comprehensive or detailed assessment. The term implies a quick, not exhaustive, examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief inspection" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "inspection", indicating the nature of the inspection being quick or short. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

9%

Academia

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief inspection" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a quick or short examination. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reporting to scientific writing. While alternatives like "cursory examination" or "quick assessment" exist, "brief inspection" maintains a neutral tone. Remember to use it when you genuinely mean a quick look, not a thorough investigation, and always tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cursory examination

Emphasizes the lack of thoroughness in the examination.

quick assessment

Focuses on the speed and aim of evaluating something rapidly.

rapid check

Highlights the swiftness of the checking process.

speedy review

Stresses the prompt nature of the review.

hasty survey

Suggests the survey was done quickly, possibly without great attention to detail.

short scan

Highlights the brevity and superficiality of the examination.

fleeting look

Indicates a very short and superficial view.

superficial check

Focuses on the lack of depth in the checking process.

passing glance

Emphasizes the brief and casual nature of the look.

snap inspection

Implies an inspection conducted without prior notice or preparation.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief inspection" to describe a quick examination. For example, "After a brief inspection, the mechanic identified the problem."

What can I say instead of "brief inspection"?

You can use alternatives like "cursory examination", "quick assessment", or "rapid check" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "brief inspection" or "short inspection"?

"Brief inspection" and "short inspection" are both correct and very similar. "Brief" emphasizes the concise nature, while "short" emphasizes the duration.

What's the difference between "brief inspection" and "detailed inspection"?

"Brief inspection" refers to a quick and superficial examination, while "detailed inspection" refers to a thorough and comprehensive examination. They are essentially opposites.