for a brief while

USAGE SUMMARY

'for a brief while' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a short period of time. For example, "We were able to relax for a brief while before the storm started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For a brief while, feminism went mainstream.

Independent

For a brief while, I basked in the glory of kingship, the radiance of empire.

The New York Times

A nice setup and, for a brief while, one that delivers on its promise.

The New York Times - Books

We exist for a brief while (a few decades, maybe even a century) as cellular and molecular machines.

University of California, Berkeley

For a brief while, he believed that the international censure would oblige his government to house its citizens.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Callan worked at Credit Suisse for a brief while after that, before retreating from public view.

The New York Times

They're starting to remind us of another band that, for a brief while, knew how to write songs for everyone.

The Guardian - Music

It may have caught the eye for a brief while, but it was fleeting and therefore of little value.

The Guardian

For a brief while, he owned and lived on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean, near Sri Lanka.

The New Yorker

For a brief while, I loved her against my own inclination — hopelessly, the way you do when someone is remote or already taken.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a very brief while, there are still eight teams to choose from.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a brief while", ensure the context clearly indicates the temporary nature of the situation. Avoid using it when a more specific timeframe is necessary for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "for a brief while" if you can provide a more precise duration. Saying "for five minutes" is clearer than "for a brief while" when the timeframe is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a brief while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in diverse sentences, and confirms its grammatically correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a brief while" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a short duration or temporary state. Ludwig examples reveal its frequent appearance in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. While alternatives like ""for a short time"" or ""briefly"" exist, the choice often depends on subtle nuances in meaning or desired formality. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the fleeting nature of something without being overly specific about the timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a short time

Emphasizes the limited duration but is slightly more general.

briefly

A more concise adverb conveying the same meaning.

for a little while

Implies a slightly more casual or relaxed timeframe.

momentarily

Highlights the very short or fleeting nature of the duration.

temporarily

Focuses on the non-permanent aspect of the situation.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the quick passing of time and its transient quality.

for a spell

Suggests an indefinite but relatively short period, often used informally.

for a split second

Underlines the sudden and extremely short amount of time.

for a quick minute

Informal expression highlighting speed and brevity.

in the short term

Suggests a focus on immediate or near-future considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "for a brief while" in a sentence?

You can use "for a brief while" to indicate that something happens or exists for a short period of time. For example, "For a brief while, I thought I had won the lottery."

What are some alternatives to "for a brief while"?

Alternatives include "for a short time", "momentarily", or "briefly", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "for a brief while" formal or informal?

"For a brief while" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "temporarily" might be preferred in highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "for a brief while" and "for a short while"?

The phrases "for a brief while" and "for a short while" are largely interchangeable. "Brief" emphasizes the quick passing of time, while "short" simply indicates a limited duration. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.