fleeting reference

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting reference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a brief mention of something, ignoring it almost immediately after. For example, "The professor made a fleeting reference to the French Revolution, but moved on quickly to the next topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And children … and a fleeting reference to Newtown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Already, there was a fleeting reference to last week's Capitol sit-in by House Democrats.

The Washington Post

One senior aide said he was convinced that the fleeting reference to rats was not accidental.

The New York Times

In making her argument, Mrs. Clinton made fleeting reference to her own adjustment to public life.

The New York Times

(The manifesto does include a fleeting reference to television, which was still highly experimental).

The New York Times - Books

In the letter to Malala, Mr Rashid makes a fleeting reference to his escape.

Independent

He also made a fleeting reference to chemical attacks in Syria, without adding the "alleged" caveat used by the government.

The Guardian

There's a fleeting reference to his trying to prove something to his daddy, but otherwise Bryant's motivation is left unexplored.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In these fleeting references, which he subsequently suppressed and did not publish, Jay was obviously referring to the relationship between factions and geographic divisions.

Columbia University

John Paul was responsible for two recent but fleeting references to papal resignation in official church policy.

The New York Times

Dig deeply enough and you may find fleeting references to an uncompassionate government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fleeting reference", ensure the context makes it clear why the reference was brief. Was it unimportant, or was it intentional to avoid dwelling on the subject?

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting reference" to describe mentions that are actually significant to the topic. The phrase implies brevity and lack of importance, so choose a different descriptor if the reference is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting reference" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., "make a fleeting reference") or as part of a prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting reference" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that indicates a brief and unsubstantial mention of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It's versatile enough for use in various contexts, especially in News & Media where it frequently appears. When employing this phrase, consider carefully whether the brevity you're indicating truly reflects the importance (or lack thereof) of the reference you're describing. Remember it may be more effective to use stronger alternatives like "brief mention" or "passing remark" to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief mention

Focuses on the brevity of the mention.

passing remark

Highlights the casual and transient nature of the comment.

quick allusion

Emphasizes the indirect nature and speed of the reference.

cursory mention

Stresses the lack of detail and thoroughness.

brief citation

Highlights the reference as a formal acknowledgement.

incidental remark

Implies the reference was not central to the main topic.

oblique reference

Focuses on the indirect and subtle nature of the reference.

casual reference

Emphasizes the informal and relaxed tone of the mention.

perfunctory mention

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or care in the reference.

isolated reference

Focuses on the uniqueness and separation of that single mention from the main content.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting reference" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting reference" to describe a brief mention of something, such as: "The author made a "fleeting reference" to the economic crisis, but didn't elaborate further."

What's a good substitute for "fleeting reference"?

Alternatives include "brief mention", "passing remark", or "quick allusion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fleeting reference" in formal writing?

Yes, "fleeting reference" is appropriate in formal writing to describe a brief or insubstantial mention of something. Its usage is common across various formal sources, including news and academic texts.

What does "fleeting" emphasize in the phrase "fleeting reference"?

The word "fleeting" emphasizes the brevity and transience of the reference, suggesting that it was brief and not dwelled upon.