even for a short time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even for a short time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a brief duration of something. For example, "I enjoyed my vacation, even for a short time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Exposure to concentrated bromine vapour, even for a short time, may be fatal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Castro's Cuba never enjoyed that sort of cinematic renaissance, not even for a short time.

The New York Times

The other option would not require Mr. Putin to move out of the Kremlin even for a short time.

The New York Times

Perhaps to be one of them, even for a short time, burns a little piece of you in return.

The Guardian - Tech

The question is why Hamas feels it must play along with the governing Palestinian Authority even for a short time.

The New York Times

The only problem of Mr Putin's system is that stepping aside even for a short time could be lethal for him and his cronies.

The Economist

Here is a note from Margo: "Groupon is a great company and I feel privileged to have worked there even for a short time.

The New York Times

With another power source unplugged — even for a short time — they will need every base they can get, however they can get it.

The New York Times - Sports

Even in cities that don't prohibit such services, many landlords require tenants to sign leases that explicitly forbid the subletting of apartment, even for a short time.

The Economist

Edison's innovation has been so successful that few people today can imagine being off the grid, even for a short time.

The New York Times

The permanent store, he said, does so well selling beauty products that he does not want to hide that merchandise behind Halloween displays, even for a short time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even for a short time" to underscore the unexpected impact or significance of something happening within a brief duration.

Common error

Avoid using "even for a short time" when the duration is already understood to be insignificant. The phrase works best when highlighting a surprising consequence or condition despite the brevity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even for a short time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration or circumstances of an action or state. Ludwig's examples show it adding emphasis to the brevity of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even for a short time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something holds true or has an impact despite its brevity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure the emphasis on brevity is both relevant and impactful. Alternatives like "even briefly" or "even momentarily" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even briefly

Emphasizes brevity more directly; lacks the prepositional structure of the original.

even for a moment

Similar in meaning, but uses "moment" instead of "short time".

even momentarily

Highlights an extremely short duration, shorter than a "short time".

even for a little while

Replaces "short time" with the more informal "little while".

even for a short period

Uses "period" which sounds slightly more formal than "time".

even for a spell

Replaces "short time" with "spell", indicating a brief period. This alternative is less common.

even for a quick bit

Uses colloquial "quick bit" to mean a short duration. Less formal.

even if briefly

Emphasizes condition of briefness rather than the duration itself.

if only for a short time

Shifts focus to a conditional scenario emphasizing a brief duration as the only possibility.

for a limited duration

Focuses on the limited nature of the duration, avoiding "even" and changing the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "even for a short time" in a sentence?

You can use "even for a short time" to emphasize that something is true or significant despite happening only briefly. For example, "Exposure to concentrated bromine vapour, "even for a short time", may be fatal."

What phrases are similar to "even for a short time"?

Alternatives include "even briefly", "even momentarily", or "even for a moment", each subtly altering the emphasis on duration.

Is there a difference between "even for a short time" and "for a short time"?

Yes, "even for a short time" implies a surprising or unexpected outcome considering the brief duration, whereas "for a short time" simply states the duration without the added emphasis.

When should I avoid using "even for a short time"?

Avoid using "even for a short time" when the briefness is already obvious and the emphasis is unnecessary. It's most effective when the brevity contrasts with the significance of the situation.