come back briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come back briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone returning for a short period of time or to a specific location momentarily. Example: "I need to step out for a moment, but I will come back briefly to check on the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Between that encounter and Murray's third-round contest against Marinko Matosevic, the sun emerged, only for the rain to come back briefly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He came back briefly and unsuccessfully to the tour in 1987.

Encyclopedia Britannica

'When I came back briefly in the 1980s - not a published writer then - the green spines were everywhere.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Prince came back briefly in 1985 and died later that year, but Mr. King never returned to the Pirates' broadcast booth on a full-time basis.

The New York Times - Sports

The Ralph Lauren bear – originally on sweatshirts in the nineties – is the gang mascot, and came back briefly on to sweaters last year due to popular demand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Monza came back briefly in 2003 with an updated look using the traditional cushion case.

TechCrunch

Coming back briefly to nominal compounds of form N N, note that unlike conventional compounds such as ice bucket or ice sculpture ones approachable using an enriched lexicon, heuristic rules, or statistical techniques some compounds can acquire a variety of meanings as a function of context.

SEP

He came back briefly in season seven and again now for the five-year anniversary series, but seems tired with a life cycle of tashing on and necking shots, tashing on and necking shots.

Vice

Cherish the time you have with them and know that they always come back, however briefly.

Huffington Post

After that, I will come back to briefly discuss each question and what they entail.

Huffington Post

This "detective" show features a guy with a pie store and a magical gift -- if he touches a dead person, they come back to life briefly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come back briefly" when you want to indicate a return for a short duration, ensuring clarity about the temporary nature of the return.

Common error

Avoid using "come back briefly" if the return is expected to be lengthy or permanent, as it can mislead the audience about the actual duration of the return.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come back briefly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a temporary return. It modifies the verb, specifying the duration of the return. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come back briefly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a temporary return. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various writing styles, offering a clear indication of a short duration. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning to avoid any misinterpretations regarding the length of the return. Alternatives such as "return momentarily" or "visit again briefly" can be used to add variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return momentarily

Focuses on the short duration of the return.

reappear for a short time

Highlights the reappearance aspect and its temporary nature.

visit again briefly

Emphasizes a short second visit.

pop back for a moment

Uses a more informal tone to indicate a quick return.

revisit for a short period

Stresses the act of revisiting and the limited timeframe.

return for a little while

Indicates the return is temporary.

come back for a short spell

Uses "spell" to denote a brief period of time.

make a fleeting return

Emphasizes the transient nature of the return.

return in short order

Highlights the promptness of the return.

circle back shortly

Emphasizes returning to a topic or location soon.

FAQs

How can I use "come back briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "come back briefly" to indicate a short return. For example, "I need to step out, but I'll "come back briefly" to check on the progress."

What are some alternatives to "come back briefly"?

Alternatives include "return momentarily", "reappear for a short time", or "visit again briefly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "return briefly" or "come back briefly"?

Both "return briefly" and "come back briefly" are acceptable. "Come back briefly" is slightly more informal, while "return briefly" may sound more formal. Choose the option that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "come back briefly" and "come back soon"?

"Come back briefly" indicates a short amount of time will be spent on return, while "come back soon" simply expresses a desire for a prompt return without specifying duration.