just a brief question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a brief question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking a short, straightforward question. For example: "I have just a brief question - do you know what time we're supposed to meet?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The authorities did not use any physically coercive methods, an official said, adding that psychological tricks were employed, like questioning him for several hours and then leaving him for a while, returning to ask just a brief question, only to leave him alone again for a while.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I just have a brief question.

Cornell University

A brief question-and-answer session follows the reading.

The New Yorker

Dr V. Kurfirst (Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic): Just one brief question.

European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery

This morning's fishing was just a brief respite from Burns' quest to answer a career question: How do you make small, personal movies and still pay the bills?

Forbes

Just a brief look at the blogosphere shows you what a hotly contested question this is.

BBC

It was just a brief power failure.

The New York Times - Sports

But that was just a brief bit of crossover.

The New York Times - Arts

Just a brief mention of trade with China.

The New York Times

This is just a brief listing of local hotels.

Cornell University

And Touch ID is just a brief obstacle.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just a brief question" to signal politeness and respect for the other person's time, particularly in formal settings or when addressing someone in authority.

Common error

While "just a brief question" is generally appropriate, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or insincere. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "quick question" or "got a question?" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a brief question" functions as a polite introduction to an inquiry. It prefaces the question, signaling to the listener that the query will be short and to the point. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in spoken and written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just a brief question" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for politely introducing a question, particularly when you want to assure the listener of your conciseness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for both spoken and written English. Although the frequency is uncommon, its presence across News & Media, Academia, and Science indicates broad applicability. While adaptable, be mindful of overly formal tones in casual settings, opting instead for more relaxed phrasing. Remember that the key to effective use is ensuring the question truly is brief and to the point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quick question

Focuses on the speed of asking the question, omitting explicit mention of brevity.

a short question

Replaces "brief" with "short", emphasizing the question's length.

a simple question

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the question, rather than its length.

may I ask a quick question?

Adds a polite inquiry before asking the question, highlighting the speed of the query.

can I ask a brief question?

Includes a polite request before posing the question, maintaining the emphasis on brevity.

just a quick inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry", focusing on the speed of the query.

a fast question

Uses "fast" instead of "brief" to convey the quick nature of the question.

a straightforward question

Emphasizes the directness of the question, diverging slightly from the brevity aspect.

a small question

Emphasizes the scale of the question, rather than its length, using a different adjective.

a concise question

Highlights the succinct and to-the-point nature of the question.

FAQs

How can I use "just a brief question" in a sentence?

You can use "just a brief question" to politely introduce a question, especially when you want to assure the listener that you will be concise. For example, "I have "just a brief question" about the report you mentioned."

What are some alternatives to "just a brief question"?

Alternatives include "a quick question", "a short question", or "a simple question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "just a brief question" too formal for casual conversation?

In very informal settings, "just a brief question" might sound slightly too formal. Consider using phrases like "quick question" or simply asking your question directly without any preamble.

What's the difference between "just a brief question" and "just a quick question"?

While both phrases are similar, "just a brief question" emphasizes the shortness of the question, while "just a quick question" emphasizes the speed of asking or answering it. They are often interchangeable, but the subtle difference in emphasis may make one more appropriate than the other in certain contexts.