i worked briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"I worked briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you put in a short amount of time on a particular project or task. For example: "I worked briefly on a project for my company, but I decided to quit after a few weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Then I worked briefly for an international toy company.

The New York Times

A few years ago I worked briefly for its crown jewel, the Los Angeles Times.

The Washington Post

I worked briefly as Kennedy's postboy, and I was in his office when he was deposed.

The Guardian

(I worked briefly at the Chronicle, too manning the stuffing machines).

The New Yorker

In the summer of my twentieth year, I worked briefly as a bear-skinner in the mountains of Wyoming.

The New Yorker

I worked briefly in Bradford before its fine city centre was razed to the ground by its city fathers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I only worked briefly with Ken Campbell (Obituary, September 2), but I was struck by his warmth and good nature, albeit spiced with unpredictable mischieviousness.

The Guardian

There came a day when buddies of mine at the F.B.I. (where I had worked briefly) told me they knew pretty much everything I had been up to — in truth, they didn't know the half of it!

The New York Times

Full disclosure: I'd probably never have heard Bruntnell's music either had I not worked briefly at the short-lived label Almo Sounds during the time Peter was promoting his first LP and recording his second for them.

The Guardian - Music

(I also worked briefly as a civilian adviser to General McChrystal last year).

The New York Times

After graduation from Yale University (1916) Stewart served as chief quartermaster in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force during World War I and worked briefly in private business before taking up humorous writing in 1921.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i worked briefly", be specific about the context or role to provide clarity. For instance, "I worked briefly as a consultant" is more informative than just "I worked briefly."

Common error

Don't assume the reader knows the timeframe or industry. Saying "I worked briefly" without context can leave the audience guessing. Always add clarifying details like 'at a startup' or 'during the summer'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i worked briefly" primarily functions as a clause element within a sentence, specifically serving as the main predicate. It expresses an action (working) and modifies it with an adverb (briefly), indicating the duration of the action. Ludwig confirms this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i worked briefly" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a short period of employment. As Ludwig highlights, it's frequently used in news and media contexts to provide a quick overview of someone's background. When using this phrase, clarity is key; providing additional context about the role or industry helps avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "i had a short stint" or "i was briefly employed" can be used for variety, but "i worked briefly" remains a straightforward and easily understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i had a short stint

Emphasizes the limited duration of the employment.

i was briefly employed

Formal way of saying the work was short-term.

i held the position for a short time

Highlights the duration in a specific role.

i had a brief period of employment

Focuses on the time frame of the job.

i was a short-term employee

Describes employment status in terms of contract or duration.

i spent a little time working

Informal and emphasizes spending time at work.

i did a short spell of work

British English; indicates a short period of labor.

i temporarily worked

Stresses the temporary nature of employment.

i took a temporary position

Highlights the temporary nature of the role assumed.

i worked for a limited time

States that the work period was restricted.

FAQs

How can I use "i worked briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "i worked briefly" to describe a short period of employment, such as "I worked briefly as a waiter during the summer" or "I worked briefly on the project before moving to another team".

What are some alternatives to "i worked briefly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I had a short stint", "I was briefly employed", or "I held the position for a short time depending on the context.

Is it better to say "i worked briefly" or "i briefly worked"?

Both "i worked briefly" and "i briefly worked" are grammatically correct, but "i worked briefly" is generally more common and sounds more natural in most contexts. The word order is more conventional and easier to process.

What's the difference between "i worked briefly" and "i volunteered briefly"?

While "i worked briefly" implies a paid position, "i volunteered briefly" indicates unpaid work. The former suggests an employment relationship, while the latter implies a contribution of time and effort without financial compensation.