left momentarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left momentarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has departed or been absent for a short period of time. Example: "She left momentarily to grab a coffee but will be back shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He left momentarily and then returned with Mr. Slavin, Mr. Perez testified.

The New York Times

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am in you," he told Mr. Rangel, who was left momentarily speechless.

The New York Times

Left momentarily defenceless, Foreman landed another huge right hand that this time caused both knees to buckle simultaneously.

The Guardian - Sport

The non-venomous snake, which is a household pet, escaped its home in Kells, Whitehaven, after it was left momentarily unattended while being cleaned, Cumbria police said.

Independent

Mr Johnson was asked about a recent incident in which, attempting to promote Olympic big screens in east London, he was left momentarily suspended in the air on a 150ft zip wire.

BBC

She left momentarily to grab more materials for the party -- and returned to chaos.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

With about 30 others, he waited inside a train for 25 minutes, he said yesterday, as an electronic announcement repeated in a drone that the train would be leaving "momentarily".

The New York Times

Look for excuses that you can make to leave momentarily but take that chance to leave altogether; for example, say you are going to the bathroom / to get some food/more drink / to shut a window / to put the cat out / to phone your parents or a friend / to turn off lights, etc.

WikiHow

Someone was always left out, momentarily bereft.

The New Yorker

Earlier in the game, Anthony grabbed a rebound and struck Davis with an elbow that left Davis momentarily dazed.

The New York Times - Sports

But an emotional encounter with a young Palestinian left her momentarily speechless and unable to adequately explain to the girl why she faces the threat of deportation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left momentarily" to clearly indicate a brief and temporary departure. It's more concise than alternatives like "left for a short period".

Common error

Avoid using "left momentarily" when the departure is intended to be permanent or of a longer duration. In such cases, use alternatives like "left permanently" or "left indefinitely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left momentarily" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the duration of the action. It modifies the verb "left", specifying that the departure was brief. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left momentarily" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase that describes a brief departure. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While there are several alternative phrases, "left momentarily" provides a concise and clear way to indicate a temporary absence. When employing this expression, it is important to ensure that the context aligns with the implication of a very short duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly departed

Replaces "left" with "departed" and "momentarily" with "briefly", emphasizing the short duration of the absence.

stepped away briefly

Uses "stepped away" instead of "left", suggesting a short, intentional departure.

was briefly absent

Emphasizes the state of being absent for a short time.

excused oneself briefly

Suggests a polite and temporary departure, suitable for formal contexts.

withdrew for a moment

Implies a temporary removal from a situation or location.

took a short break

Focuses on the purpose of the departure, suggesting a rest or pause.

disappeared for a second

Emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the absence.

was gone for a short period

More descriptive, specifying the length of absence.

moved away for a moment

Highlights a change of location for a brief duration.

paused briefly

Implies a short interruption or cessation of activity.

FAQs

How can I use "left momentarily" in a sentence?

You can use "left momentarily" to indicate a brief departure. For example, "She "left momentarily" to answer the phone but will return shortly."

What are some alternatives to "left momentarily"?

Alternatives include "briefly departed", "stepped away briefly", or "was briefly absent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "left for a moment" instead of "left momentarily"?

"Left for a moment" is grammatically correct and carries a similar meaning. However, "left momentarily" is often considered more concise and slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "left momentarily" and "left temporarily"?

"Left momentarily" implies a very short duration, while "left temporarily" suggests a longer, though not permanent, absence. Use "left temporarily" if the departure is expected to last more than a few minutes.