notice fleetingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notice fleetingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a brief or momentary observation of something. Example: "As I walked through the gallery, I managed to notice fleetingly the vibrant colors of the painting before moving on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I listen to the interview tape a few days later, I notice he has referred to his father's death more than once, usually fleetingly and in passing.

The Guardian

After I noticed that I had left my computer on all night, I wondered, fleetingly, if I could rig up a boxing glove on a spring to hit the off button at an appointed hour.

The New York Times - Tech

Stelios and his hard-traveling inner circle noticed that Internet cafes in most cities were overpriced operations run by nerds, sometimes fleetingly fashionable but frequently going bust.

Forbes

But only fleetingly.

The Guardian

He looks fleetingly unamused.

The Guardian

I shower, sleep fleetingly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He looks fleetingly suspicious.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fleetingly it appears.

The Guardian

He looks fleetingly sheepish.

The Guardian - Books

Didion looks fleetingly waspish.

The Guardian - Books

She looks fleetingly embarrassed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notice fleetingly" when you want to emphasize the brevity and almost accidental nature of an observation. It's suitable when the observation isn't the main focus but adds detail or context.

Common error

Avoid using "notice fleetingly" too often in your writing as it can become repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and word choice to keep your prose engaging. Consider stronger verbs or different adverb choices for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notice fleetingly" functions as a verb-adverb combination, where 'notice' acts as the verb indicating the action of observing and 'fleetingly' is the adverb modifying the verb, specifying the manner or duration of the action. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notice fleetingly" is a grammatically correct verb-adverb phrase used to describe a brief or quick observation. Though Ludwig shows that this phrase is valid and usable, it appears to be relatively uncommon. The phrase functions to add a subtle detail to a narrative, conveying that the observation was quick and almost incidental. While versatile enough for different writing styles, avoiding overuse can maintain prose engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly observe

Uses a synonym for 'fleetingly' and a more formal verb.

observe momentarily

Replaces 'fleetingly' with 'momentarily', focusing on the very short duration.

catch a fleeting glimpse

Replaces 'notice' with 'catch a glimpse', emphasizing the visual aspect and shortness of the observation.

perceive quickly

Focuses on the speed of perception.

spot in passing

Suggests an observation made while moving or while something else is happening.

glance at briefly

Similar to 'catch a glimpse', but with a slightly more intentional feel.

register for a moment

Emphasizes the mental registration of something seen briefly.

see for a second

A more informal way to describe a quick observation.

become fleetingly aware

Adds a layer of awareness to the brief observation.

detect momentarily

Implies a subtle or difficult-to-notice observation.

FAQs

How can I use "notice fleetingly" in a sentence?

You can use "notice fleetingly" to describe a brief observation. For example, "I "noticed fleetingly" a shadow move across the wall" indicates a quick, perhaps uncertain, observation.

What are some alternatives to "notice fleetingly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "briefly observe", "catch a fleeting glimpse", or "observe momentarily", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "notice fleetingly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Notice" is a verb and "fleetingly" is an adverb modifying the verb, indicating how the action of noticing is performed.

When is it appropriate to use "notice fleetingly" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that the act of noticing something was quick, almost imperceptible, and not the main focus of the sentence or paragraph. It adds detail without drawing too much attention to the observation itself.