if only briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

"if only briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to note that something was only experienced briefly, often to express a sense of regret. For example, "We met each other a few years ago, if only briefly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The photographs humanized Flacco, if only briefly.

The New York Times - Sports

This weekend, however, that indifference may change, if only briefly.

The Guardian - Opinion

And she'll be back again, if only briefly.

The New York Times

You lived, if only briefly, among the Great Amnesiacs".

The New York Times - Books

All had been independent before, after 1918, if only briefly.

The Economist

In the fourth set, Sampras found hope again -- if only briefly.

The New York Times - Sports

And I got to pretend, if only briefly, that I belonged there with them.

The New York Times - Travel

And Roberts and justice Antonin Scalia repeated this today, if only briefly and obliquely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Peruggia actually did get the Mona Lisa displayed in Italy, if only briefly.

The New York Times - Books

But occasionally the voices and instruments move, if only briefly, toward denser harmonies.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Corzine did talk, if only briefly, about other pressing issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting sentences, ensure "if only briefly" is placed logically to modify the action or state you wish to qualify as short-lived. The phrase typically appears at the end of a clause for emphasis.

Common error

While "if only briefly" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in overly formal or academic writing can make your prose sound less professional. Consider alternatives like "momentarily" or "transiently" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if only briefly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the limited duration of an action or state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, making it suitable for various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if only briefly" serves as an adverbial modifier to denote the short duration of an action or state. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news and media contexts, though it is suitable for general use. The phrase often carries a hint of longing, emphasizing the transient nature of the event. While versatile, remember that more formal synonyms like "momentarily" may be preferable in certain academic or professional settings. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a short time

Provides a more straightforward and literal substitution.

for a little while

Similar to 'for a short time' but slightly more colloquial.

momentarily

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb emphasizing the short duration.

fleetingly

Replaces the phrase with a single word, adverbial modifier.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transient nature of the experience.

for a split second

Indicates something extremely brief, almost instantaneous.

just for a second

Offers a more casual and less formal alternative.

in passing

Suggests a casual or incidental occurrence.

transiently

A more formal term emphasizing the temporary nature.

ephemerally

Highlights the short-lived and almost dreamlike quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "if only briefly" in a sentence?

Use "if only briefly" to indicate something happened or existed for a short duration. For example, "I saw him smile, "if only briefly", but it made my day."

What's a more formal alternative to "if only briefly"?

For formal writing, consider using "momentarily", "transiently", or "fleetingly" instead of "if only briefly". These words convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

How does "if only briefly" differ from "for a short time"?

"For a short time" is a neutral description of duration. "If only briefly", on the other hand, often carries a subtle tone of regret or longing, suggesting the speaker wished the duration had been longer.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "if only briefly"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "if only briefly" is less common. It's generally more effective to place it within or at the end of the clause it modifies, for example: "Briefly, they discussed the issue before moving on."