brief lag

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief lag" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a short delay or pause in a process or event. Example: "There was a brief lag in the system response, but it resumed normal operation shortly after."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In "Opposing Mirrors and Video Monitors on Time Delay," viewers can see the repeating reflections of a monitor in a mirror, as well as themselves with a brief lag, and anyone else in the room.

The New York Times - Arts

The question has been this: Do people need to be covered by March 31, or merely to have signed up by then, given that insurance policies have a brief lag before they take effect?

The Washington Post

There's brief lag, especially with high-resolution artwork, between a pen stroke and the appearance of its "ink," and there's a tiny glass gap between the tip of your pen and the image itself.

The New York Times - Tech

In these experiments, the loss of optical density of F-spores followed germination kinetics of normal spores, which typically show a brief lag, and a near maximal loss of approximately 50% occurring 10 15 min after inducing germination.

Plosone

Upon treatment with trypsin, both SW13−/− epithelial cells and U373 MG glioma cells exhibited a brief lag period followed by a concerted retraction to a rounded shape.

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

When treated with trypsin, both SW13−/− epithelial cells and U373 MG glioma cells exhibit a brief lag period followed by a concerted retraction to a rounded shape.

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This is because each transient peak in the leading sound's envelope is likely to form a brief lead-alone segment while each peak in the lagging sound's envelope is likely to form a brief lag-alone segment, superposed segment, or both.

Plosone

You can almost always tell if someone is checking their email or doing something else when you're talking to them (brief lags in their responses are a giveaway).

The New York Times

As a result, the model demonstrates a steep response curve with a brief lag-phase complying with experimental observations with the help of receptor association, k f, and cooperativity, n, parameters without strictly requiring the direct involvement of UFP.

BMC Systems Biology

After a brief time lag, social media will catch up and bring that past mundane activity to life as people start "engaging" and sharing what they are doing on a rainy or a sunny day.

Huffington Post

Stewart ran for first downs, his arm was accurate and, despite a brief third-quarter lag that allowed the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens to close a 20-3 gap to 10 points, he commanded the offense smartly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical processes or systems, use "brief lag" to denote a short delay that doesn't significantly impact performance. Consider quantifying the lag (e.g., "a 10-millisecond brief lag") for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "brief lag" when the delay is substantial or has significant consequences. "Brief" implies a negligible impact; use more descriptive terms if the delay is noticeable or problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief lag" functions as a noun phrase, where "brief" modifies the noun "lag". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a short or momentary delay. The phrase is used to indicate a temporary pause or interruption in a process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief lag" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a short delay or pause. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys a temporary interruption. The phrase is most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, and exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for both technical and general audiences. When using the phrase, ensure the delay is genuinely short and inconsequential to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "short delay" or "slight pause" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short delay

Replaces 'brief' with 'short', maintaining the meaning of a small amount of time.

slight pause

Substitutes 'lag' with 'pause', emphasizing a momentary interruption.

momentary delay

Uses 'momentary' to highlight the very short duration of the delay.

short interval

Replaces both words to describe a short period between events.

minor delay

Focuses on the insignificance of the delay.

small gap

Suggests a small space or time separating events.

fleeting pause

Emphasizes the transient nature of the pause.

quick interruption

Highlights the sudden and short-lived nature of the interruption.

temporary setback

Implies a brief hindrance or obstacle.

transient delay

Uses 'transient' to describe a delay that doesn't last.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief lag" to describe a short delay or pause in various contexts. For example, "There was a "brief lag" in the video stream", or "The system experienced a "brief lag" before responding".

What are some alternatives to "brief lag"?

Some alternatives include "short delay", "slight pause", or "momentary delay" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a brief lag time"?

While grammatically correct, "brief lag time" can be slightly redundant, as "lag" already implies a time element. "Brief lag" is often sufficient, but "brief lag time" can be used for emphasis if desired.

What's the difference between "brief lag" and "long lag"?

"Brief lag" indicates a short, often insignificant delay, while "long lag" signifies a more substantial delay that could have a noticeable impact. The choice depends on the duration and significance of the delay you're describing.