brief intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe short periods of time between events or activities. Example: "During the meeting, we took breaks at brief intervals to allow everyone to gather their thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the brief intervals when it's overhead, viewers again become illuminated by the art.

The New York Times - Arts

Glasses were being taken off, and eyes rubbed for brief intervals around the cinema.

Independent

A-list clubs confine amateurs to brief intervals between professional sets; Ha! gives over a third of a 90-minute show to beginners.

The New Yorker

Schumacher, the defending Formula One champion, started from the pole and never relinquished his lead except for brief intervals after two pit stops.

The New York Times - Sports

"If you have a hard time, avoid it, or do it only for brief intervals, trying to keep your perspective on motion as much as possible".

The New York Times

Sights, sounds, smells, textures and other information flowing into the brain arrive not all at once but over brief intervals of time, he explained.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Thus ended Orry's brief interval of glory.

The New Yorker

Four hours of the stuff, with a brief interval for the audience.

The Guardian

After an indecently brief interval, the good pastor changes his mind.

The New York Times

After a brief interval the elder woman cautiously opened the door and stepped out.

The New Yorker

Among journalists and intellectuals, a brief interval of exhilaration had given way to depression and fear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intermittent events or actions, use "brief intervals" to emphasize the short duration between them. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "brief intervals" when describing events separated by significant periods. This phrase is best suited for moments separated by short periods. Using it otherwise creates a misleading impression of frequency and immediacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief intervals" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate when or how frequently something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. It describes short periods of time separating events or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief intervals" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to denote short durations between events. Its prevalence spans across diverse fields such as news reporting, scientific research, and encyclopedic documentation. The phrase serves to provide temporal clarity, emphasizing the proximity of successive occurrences. While synonyms like "short periods" and "fleeting moments" offer comparable meaning, "brief intervals" holds its own in describing precise, short timeframes between actions. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the scale of time involved, to avoid misrepresenting the frequency of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short periods

Replaces "intervals" with "periods", focusing on the duration.

short spaces of time

Emphasizes the temporal aspect using "spaces of time".

brief spells

Replaces intervals with spells, implying a short duration of a particular state or activity.

fleeting moments

Conveys a sense of transience and brevity.

quick spells

Uses "spells" to indicate short durations of an activity or condition.

momentary gaps

Highlights the aspect of being gaps or pauses that are brief.

small timeframes

Emphasizes the limited duration using "timeframes".

short bursts

Suggests short, intense occurrences.

passing instances

Highlights the ephemeral nature of the intervals.

short-lived gaps

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the intervals.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief intervals" to describe short periods between events, such as, "The music was punctuated by brief intervals of silence."

What are some alternatives to "brief intervals"?

Alternatives include "short periods", "short spaces of time", or "fleeting moments", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'during brief intervals' or 'in brief intervals'?

Both are acceptable, but "during brief intervals" is more common. "In brief intervals" might be used to emphasize the containment within those periods.

What's the difference between "brief intervals" and "short breaks"?

"Brief intervals" generally refers to time periods, whereas "short breaks" specifically implies pauses in an activity. The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing time or interruption.