even briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being done for a short duration or in a limited manner. Example: "I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on the matter, even briefly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Studying the prints even briefly is numbing.

The New York Times - Arts

Destiny's Child even briefly reunited briefly to film their take.

The Guardian - Opinion

Never even briefly entertained it as a viable option.

The Guardian

(When he was a boy, his mother even briefly enrolled him in a cartooning correspondence school).

The New York Times - Arts

Despite its name, Capri's menu ranges across the Italian landscape and even, briefly, into France.

The New York Times

Could Norman have have thought, even briefly, of sacrificing his daughter?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They got on famously, apparently - and even briefly discussed making a TV show together.

The Guardian

San Diego even briefly had Chevrolet as its official beach patrol car.

The New York Times

Q seemed upset that J had even briefly believed that she had purchased Groupon shares.

The New Yorker

Of course, it seems crazy to have thought so, even briefly, given where things stand now.

The New Yorker

The greatest American patriots have been eloquent about the danger of letting freedom lapse even briefly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even briefly" to add emphasis to the brevity of an action or state, highlighting that it occurs for only a short duration. This can be particularly effective when contrasting it with a longer or more significant event.

Common error

Avoid using "even briefly" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be expected. Consider alternatives like "momentarily" or "transiently" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even briefly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the action occurs for a short duration. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even briefly" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the short duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight brevity, making it a useful tool for adding emphasis and contrast in writing. While acceptable across various registers, remember to be mindful of tone in highly formal contexts, where alternatives might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if only for a moment

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of the action or state.

for a short time

Indicates a limited duration, focusing on the temporal aspect.

however momentarily

Highlights the very short duration of the event.

even for a second

Emphasizes the brevity of the action, using a specific unit of time.

just for a bit

Informal way to indicate a short period.

fleetingly

Adverb that emphasizes the rapid passing of something.

even transiently

Indicates a temporary or non-permanent state or action.

in passing

Implies a casual or quick mention or occurrence.

for an instant

Highlights the immediate and short nature of the timeframe.

momentarily

Emphasizes the very brief duration of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "even briefly" to emphasize the short duration of an action. For example, "If the connection drops, "even briefly", the process will be interrupted."

What phrases are similar to "even briefly"?

Alternatives to "even briefly" include "for a moment", "momentarily", or "for a short time". Each emphasizes a limited duration.

Is it grammatically correct to say "even briefly"?

Yes, the phrase "even briefly" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It's used to emphasize the short duration of an action or event, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "even briefly" and "briefly"?

"Briefly" simply means for a short time. Adding "even" emphasizes that the duration is surprisingly or remarkably short, thus "even briefly" makes it different. For example "He paused, briefly, to consider his options" versus "He paused, even briefly, surprised by her question".