it was fleeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fleeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was temporary or short-lived, often evoking a sense of nostalgia or transience. Example: "The beauty of the sunset was breathtaking, but it was fleeting, disappearing within moments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was fleeting.

The New York Times - Sports

And when it came, it was fleeting.

The New York Times

But it was fleeting and, taken alone, restricted in emotionality.

The New York Times - Arts

Only Boyle had any success, but it was fleeting.

The New York Times - Sports

His sighting was typical in that it was fleeting.

The Guardian

Madrid were fantastic that night, but it was fleeting.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

By its very nature, it's fleeting.

HuffPost

TV is wonderful, but it is fleeting.

The New York Times

It's fleeting, but permanently available.

The Guardian

"It's flattering and it's fleeting," he said.

The New York Times

"It's fleeting". He was speaking of his own career.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was fleeting" to describe experiences, emotions, or opportunities that passed quickly. This adds a sense of poignancy or urgency to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was fleeting" repeatedly in the same paragraph or section. Vary your language with synonyms like "brief", "momentary", or "transient" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fleeting" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something existed or occurred for a very short period. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It modifies an implied subject, characterizing its duration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was fleeting" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe something temporary or short-lived. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples. While "it was fleeting" is most frequently found in news and media, it can be adapted across various contexts. When employing the phrase, consider varying your word choice to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "it was brief" or "it was momentary" may offer nuanced expressions of transience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was momentary

Emphasizes the brief duration, focusing on a single moment.

it was transient

Highlights the characteristic of passing through or not being permanent.

it was temporary

Stresses the condition of lasting for a limited time.

it was brief

Focuses on the short duration of something.

it was short-lived

Implies a limited lifespan or existence.

it was ephemeral

Emphasizes the quality of being very brief and often beautiful.

it was passing

Suggests something moving by quickly.

it was fugacious

Highlights how quickly something fades or disappears.

it was evanescent

Implies a gradual fading out of sight or memory.

it was fugacious

Highlights something that disappears rapidly.

FAQs

What does "it was fleeting" mean?

The phrase "it was fleeting" means something lasted for only a very short time, or it quickly disappeared.

How can I use "it was fleeting" in a sentence?

You can use "it was fleeting" to describe things that don't last long, such as: "The moment of joy "it was fleeting", but I'll always remember it".

What can I say instead of "it was fleeting"?

You can use alternatives like "it was brief", "it was momentary", or "it was temporary" depending on the context.

Is "it was fleeting" a formal or informal expression?

"It was fleeting" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "it was transient".