briefly checking

USAGE SUMMARY

"briefly checking" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are taking a quick look at something. For example, "Before making a decision, I spent a few minutes briefly checking the evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(Ms. Mode worked there briefly, checking coats).

The New York Times

I don't remember much about her being there other than her briefly checking in at the personnel tent.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On my way into the office I tend to grab a coffee and bid everyone a good morning, before briefly checking the intranet site and my unread emails and diary for what's in store for the day.

The Guardian

"Briefly checking in with breaking news about once per hour will typically provide the same amount of substantiated information," he said, "while avoiding problematic misinformation and extended exposure to traumatic images".

Huffington Post

Goetz stepped from the train and disappeared into the subway tunnel after briefly checking on two nearby passengers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In 2008, suffering from depression, Dunst briefly checked into the Cirque Lodge centre in Utah.

The Guardian - Film

Since then Ms. Boyle briefly checked into a London clinic where she was treated for exhaustion.

The New York Times - Arts

While awaiting trial, he fell into a depression, and briefly checked himself into a hospital.

The New Yorker

But if Halladay did not have his bags packed, a part of him might have briefly checked out.

The New York Times - Sports

He briefly checked his celebrations to check the wind gauge, needing to look at it twice as it showed two metres per second.

The Guardian - Sport

Unrelated to the bladder condition, Brown briefly checked into a Memphis hospital during the Knicks' recent road trip because he felt some discomfort in his chest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefly checking" when you want to convey that an action involves a quick or cursory examination, not an in-depth analysis. For example, "She was briefly checking her email before the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "briefly checking" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional terms like 'quickly verifying' or 'rapidly inspecting' to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefly checking" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun. Ludwig confirms it's a valid phrase. Examples show it describing quick actions like examining emails or verifying information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefly checking" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe a quick examination or verification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its frequency is rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. While acceptable in neutral contexts, more formal alternatives such as "quickly verifying" or "rapidly inspecting" might be preferred in academic or professional settings. When using "briefly checking", ensure it accurately reflects the depth of the examination being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickly verifying

Replaces 'briefly' with 'quickly', emphasizing the speed of the verification.

rapidly inspecting

Uses 'rapidly' and 'inspecting' to convey a fast and thorough look.

swiftly examining

Substitutes 'briefly' with 'swiftly', highlighting the promptness of the examination.

momentarily reviewing

Replaces 'briefly' with 'momentarily', suggesting a very short period of review.

giving a quick check

Uses a more colloquial structure to indicate a fast inspection.

taking a fast look

Employs a simple and direct expression for a quick visual assessment.

doing a speedy scan

Highlights the efficiency of the check by using 'speedy scan'.

glancing over

Indicates a superficial and quick examination.

skimming through

Suggests a very light and rapid review of something.

flipping through

Implies a quick and casual review, often of written material.

FAQs

How can I use "briefly checking" in a sentence?

You can use "briefly checking" to describe a quick action, such as "He was "briefly checking" the weather forecast before leaving the house" or "She is "briefly checking" her messages during the break".

What are some alternatives to "briefly checking"?

Instead of "briefly checking", you could use phrases like "quickly verifying", "rapidly inspecting", or "swiftly examining" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "briefly checking" in formal writing?

While "briefly checking" is grammatically correct, it may sound informal in some contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "quickly verifying" or "rapidly inspecting".

What is the difference between "briefly checking" and "thoroughly inspecting"?

"Briefly checking" implies a quick, surface-level examination, while "thoroughly inspecting" indicates a detailed and comprehensive examination. The choice depends on the depth of the examination you are describing.