momentary appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "momentary appearance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is visible or noticeable for a very short time. For example, "The momentary appearance of the comet took everyone by surprise." Alternative expressions include "brief appearance" and "fleeting appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At one point during the gathering of the Atlantic Treasure Club, a thick gold bracelet made a momentary appearance, coming with bragging rights, before being stuffed back into a black felt bag emblazoned with a skull and crossbones.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hume's answer to these challenges is that we correct our initial responses for bias and the influence of moral luck, as well as our present disposition not because we aim for some standard that is independent of our responses, but because of the practical problems that result from relying on "momentary appearances" (T 582).

SEP

This isn't the only Ratmansky ballet in which death makes a fleeting appearance: "Russian Seasons" (2006), "Concerto DSCH" (2008) — which implicitly takes place in a similarly idealized version of Stalinist Russia — and the recent "Dumbarton" (new in May) all have their momentary corpses and then their Lazarus-like resurrections, some passed over so quietly you might scarcely notice.

The New York Times - Arts

It describes different action units (AUs), which represent the muscular activity that produces momentary changes in facial appearance.

Plosone

Nevertheless, its appearance brings pleasure and momentary enlightenment.

The New Yorker

Even though he made a momentary resurgence thanks to a slinky appearance on the remix of LoveRance's "Up!" it's likely that his "Street King Immortal" will only be a shadow of reigns past.

The New York Times - Arts

It goes beyond the momentary excitement of a speaker's appearance on campus, and it involves pivotal career choices.

Forbes

The authors interpreted the appearance of a KC as a momentary excursion of the cortex from a stable low-firing state to an unstable sleep specific high-firing state upon a small excitation.

Plosone

Its transient appearance depends on the copyright owner's momentary sufferance, not public right.

Huffington Post

Her kind and devoted husband stood at her head as she lay upon the table during the operation, and as he witnessed her deathlike appearance while insensible, he was the impersonation of grief, but this was momentary; as she revived, it was difficult to say which of them was the happiest.

Yale University

An individual, momentary consciousness does not need to be possessed by a self in order to have a certain appearance.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "momentary appearance" to describe events or objects that are visible for a very short duration, creating a sense of fleetingness or transience. For a more vivid description, specify what is appearing and the context in which it appears.

Common error

Avoid using "momentary appearance" when the brief duration does not diminish the importance or impact of the event. A "brief introduction", for example, might still be very significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "momentary appearance" functions as a noun phrase where "momentary" modifies the noun "appearance". It describes the quality of an appearance being brief or lasting only for a moment. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable to describe something visible for a very short time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "momentary appearance" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe something briefly visible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral register. When writing, consider the subtle differences between "momentary appearance" and alternatives such as "fleeting glimpse" or "transient visibility" to best capture the nuance of the situation you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting glimpse

Emphasizes the brief and often incomplete nature of the observation.

transient visibility

Highlights the temporary state of being visible.

brief showing

Focuses on the act of something being displayed or revealed for a short period.

passing presence

Suggests a temporary existence or being in a particular place.

short-lived display

Highlights the temporary nature of something on view.

quick manifestation

Emphasizes the rapid and sudden nature of something appearing.

ephemeral sighting

Implies a very brief and often rare observation.

temporary emergence

Focuses on the act of something coming into view for a limited time.

instantaneous flash

Highlights the extremely short duration of the appearance, like a sudden burst.

rapid exhibition

Stresses the quick and sometimes unexpected nature of the display.

FAQs

How can I use "momentary appearance" in a sentence?

You can use "momentary appearance" to describe something that is visible or noticeable for a very short time. For example, "The "momentary appearance" of the comet took everyone by surprise."

What can I say instead of "momentary appearance"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting glimpse", "transient visibility", or "brief showing" depending on the context.

Is "momentary appearance" formal or informal?

"Momentary appearance" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may be slightly more common in formal writing or speech due to its descriptive nature.

What is the difference between "momentary appearance" and "brief appearance"?

While both phrases describe something appearing for a short time, "momentary appearance" might suggest an even shorter duration or a more fleeting impression than "brief appearance".