however briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"however briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something occurred or existed for a short period of time, even if it was not as long as something else. For example, "He was able to visit her, however briefly, to tell her goodbye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Next up, however briefly, was Jerry Blevins.

The New York Times - Sports

However briefly, Lucia was a professional dancer.

The New Yorker

She did, however, briefly accuse the state of mischaracterizing her.

The New York Times

A handful, however, briefly extend their shelf life by crossbreeding.

The New York Times - Style

And however briefly, it will matter to me.

The New York Times

Possibly hundreds of thousands have been detained, however briefly.

The Economist

She put in a dozen job applications, and worked, however briefly, at the mall.

The New York Times

Sure Scott and [insert bride's name here] would have considered you, however briefly.

The Guardian - Sport

So it's no surprise that "Noises Off" flirts, however briefly, with the theological.

The New Yorker

The songwriter who proved, however briefly, that rock 'n' roll could never die?

The New York Times - Books

And so, however briefly, the world is a different, more mannered place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however briefly" to acknowledge the limited duration of an event without diminishing its significance. For instance, "The sun shone, "however briefly", offering a welcome respite from the rain."

Common error

Avoid using "however briefly" in situations where the short duration is already obvious or unimportant. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Instead, focus on the impact or consequence of the event, even if short-lived.

Linguistic Context

"However briefly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state, indicating it occurred for a short period. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this is a grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however briefly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurred for a short duration, often to create a contrast or emphasize significance despite the brevity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While alternatives like "however momentarily" or "even for a moment" exist, "however briefly" provides a concise and effective way to convey the intended meaning. Remember to avoid redundancy by only using the phrase when the short duration is relevant or surprising.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however momentarily

Replaces "briefly" with "momentarily", emphasizing the fleeting nature of the duration.

for a fleeting moment

Uses "fleeting moment" to underscore the transient nature of the occurrence.

though fleetingly

Replaces "however briefly" with "though fleetingly", using a more poetic tone.

if only for a split second

Emphasizes the quickness and almost imperceptible nature of the short time.

even for a moment

Uses a different structure to express the idea of a very short time.

even if just for an instant

Emphasizes the brevity of the time with the word "instant".

if only for a second

Highlights the extreme shortness of the duration.

for a short time

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative.

in a short span

Highlights the limited duration in a more descriptive way.

though for a little while

Provides a more casual and conversational alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "however briefly" to indicate that something happened or existed for a short duration, often to contrast it with something longer or more significant. For example, "He saw his family, "however briefly", during the layover".

What's a good alternative to "however briefly"?

Alternatives include "however momentarily", "even for a moment", or "though fleetingly", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "however briefly"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "however briefly" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally better to place it within the clause it modifies. For example, instead of "However briefly, she smiled", try "She smiled, "however briefly"".

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

"Briefly" simply indicates a short duration. "However briefly" adds a sense of contrast or concession, suggesting that something is notable despite its short duration. You could also use "even if just for an instant" to express the same idea.