for some brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for some brief" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and would typically need additional context or words to be grammatically correct. Example: "I will be away for some brief time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The most optimistic insist that, for some brief period, it may still be conceivable.

The New York Times

Maybe if I study everyday for some brief period I will get some rudimentary proficiency.

The New York Times

Police turn up for some brief encounters in which everyone talks at the same time.

The Guardian

Except for some brief sketches of a recently opening India, South Asia goes largely unreported.

The New York Times - Books

The Cavalier is not onstage long, and except for some brief solo dancing he does nothing more than partner the Sugarplum Fairy.

The New York Times - Arts

From 1884 until his marriage in 1893, Weber left the family home only for one semester of study at Göttingen in 1885 and for some brief periods with his military reserve unit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

For that matter, apart from some brief visits, Mr. Phillips had never spent time on Long Island.

The New York Times

Correcting normative misperceptions is one of the core components of some brief interventions for problem drinkers (Neal and Carey, 2004; Riper et al., 2009).

Alcohol and Alcoholism

For starters, some brief Snook Googling throws up her appearance on WikiFeet, the "collaborative celebrity feet website".

The Guardian - Film

Visiting the splendid "Henri Cartier-Bresson in America 1935-1975" show at the Equitable (through November 2nd) brought back for me some brief but still vivid moments spent with the Magnum grand master forty years ago.

The New Yorker

By Roger Angell Visiting the splendid "Henri Cartinr-Bresson in America 1935-1975" show at the Equitable (through November 2nd) brought back for me some brief but still vivid moments spent with the Magnum grand master forty years ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action, consider using the adverb "briefly" as a more concise alternative. For instance, instead of 'they met for some brief discussion', use 'they discussed it briefly'.

Common error

Ensure that when you intend to convey a short duration, you use a complete and grammatically sound phrase. "For some brief" is often perceived as an unfinished thought. Complete the expression by including the noun that specifies what has this brief duration, e.g. "for some brief time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for some brief" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to modify a noun or verb, indicating a limited duration or extent. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as noted by Ludwig. It often requires completion with a noun like 'time' or 'period' to be fully grammatical.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "for some brief" appears in various sources, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect in standard written English, recommending more conventional alternatives such as "for a brief period" or "for a short time". While the phrase aims to describe a limited duration, these alternatives offer greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. The contexts where "for some brief" appears most often are news media, science, and encyclopedias, but using more established phrases is advisable for clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a short period

Replaces "some brief" with a more common and grammatically sound expression.

for a brief time

Similar to "for a short period", but uses "time" instead of "period" emphasizing the duration.

for a little while

Offers a more informal and less precise way to indicate a short duration.

for a moment

Implies a very short duration, even shorter than "for a brief time".

briefly

Uses an adverb to modify a verb, indicating that something is done quickly or for a short time.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transient and ephemeral nature of the duration.

for a limited duration

More formal and precise, highlighting the limited nature of the time.

for a quick spell

Offers a more informal and colloquial alternative, suggesting a short period.

momentarily

Similar to "briefly", but perhaps implying even shorter duration

for a short stint

Implies a temporary assignment or involvement in something.

FAQs

How can I properly use the idea of a short duration in a sentence?

Instead of using the phrase "for some brief", you can use alternatives like "for a short period", "for a brief time", or the adverb "briefly" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "for some brief" that sound more natural?

More natural alternatives include "for a little while", "for a moment", or "for a fleeting moment".

Is "for some brief" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "for some brief" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use more complete and established phrases.

What's the difference between "for some brief time" and "for a brief time"?

While "for some brief time" might be understood, "for a brief time" is more grammatically sound and widely accepted. The article 'a' is preferred for singular nouns like 'time' when referring to a non-specific instance.