brief instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very short period of time, often emphasizing the fleeting nature of that moment. Example: "She paused for a brief instant before responding to the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Mr Hongett has once spotted 'The Grenadier', if only for a brief instant.

Independent

Under the buzz, Zimmerman said the ovation left him overwhelmed for one brief instant.

The New York Times - Sports

For a brief instant, it seemed the M in MI5 stood for martyr.

The Guardian - Film

He realises that for a brief instant he has "been real - been without first understanding how to try to be".

The Guardian - Books

The yellow stream filled the whole basin for a brief instant before being sucked down the drain.

The New Yorker

The drops of water formed a glittering arc in the air for a brief instant before dissipating.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The atomic nuclei created in the experiments survived for only a few thousandths of a second, but in those brief instants, measurements were completed that are leading physicists to re-examine long-held ideas about the inner structure of atoms.

The New York Times - Science

To do that requires, for the brief instants when it is operating at full tilt (a total of three thousandths of a second a year), that it has a power of 500 trillion watts, about 3,000 times the average electricity consumption of the whole of planet Earth.The pellets at which this energy is directed are made of frozen hydrogen.

The Economist

When a little girl glances in a mirror while her mother adjusts her bonnet, or when a nurse, balancing a long-handled saucepan against her arm, peels a hard-boiled egg, Chardin somehow makes these brief instants seem to stretch toward infinity, assuming sudden gravity.

The New York Times - Arts

Cartier-Bresson's well-known phrase "the decisive moment" refers to the quest of the photographer, stalking the streets and countryside like a hunting cat, as Cartier-Bresson has characterized himself when at work for those brief instants when chance arranges people and objects into the meaningful patterns of paintings.

The New Yorker

Micro-moments are those brief instants where the consumer is deciding whether or not to take action on whatever service or product they require, acting immediately, whether by completing a purchase or engaging in another relevant way.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief instant" to emphasize the brevity and fleeting nature of a moment, especially when describing a sudden realization, a quick action, or a transient feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "brief instant" excessively in formal or technical writing where a more precise or quantifiable term might be appropriate, such as "short duration" or a specific time measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief instant" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief instant" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a very short period of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent usage across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and general media makes it a versatile choice in many writing contexts. While alternatives like "fleeting moment" or "split second" exist, "brief instant" effectively conveys the quick and often unexpected nature of an event. Be mindful of overuse in strictly formal or technical documents, where precision may demand a quantifiable measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting moment

Replaces "instant" with "moment", emphasizing the transient nature of the occurrence.

quick moment

Substitutes "brief" with "quick", focusing on the speed of the event.

short period

Uses a more general term, "period", to describe the limited time frame.

split second

Replaces "brief instant" with a more precise and vivid description of time.

momentary pause

Highlights the temporary cessation or interruption.

transient glimpse

Emphasizes the fleeting and insubstantial nature of what is seen or experienced.

passing second

Uses "passing" to underscore the ephemeral quality of the duration.

short interval

Offers a slightly more formal alternative, replacing "instant" with "interval".

rapid flash

Implies that the event happened rapidly and appeared suddenly.

temporary blip

Suggests something insignificant or quickly disappearing.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief instant" to describe something that happens very quickly. For example: "For a "brief instant", I thought I saw a ghost."

What's a good alternative to "brief instant"?

Alternatives to "brief instant" include "fleeting moment", "split second", or "quick moment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "brief instant" formal or informal?

"Brief instant" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from a more precise term.

What's the difference between "brief instant" and "short moment"?

"Brief instant" and "short moment" are very similar, but "brief instant" may subtly emphasize the suddenness or unexpectedness of the moment compared to "short moment".