though brief

USAGE SUMMARY

"though brief" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is short or small in duration. For example, "Though brief, the speech had a strong impact on the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Several coaches and players said Tyler's experience in Japan, though brief, could raise his stock in the draft.

The New York Times - Sports

His tutorials, though brief, are highly useful.

The New York Times - Tech

The confrontation, though brief, satisfied Stewart, and he left proudly.

The New Yorker

Though brief, the scene reads powerfully on the page.

The New York Times - Magazine

Good though brief overview of Yale and downtown New Haven.

The New York Times - Arts

The discussion, though brief, was packed with vintage Republican rhetoric.

The New Yorker

Not that the process of being photographed by Jane, though brief, was always painless.

The Guardian - Arts

First, the chambermaid's denial of consent in the initial scene, though brief, is clear and unambiguous.

The New Yorker

Kerrey's account of how that happened, though brief, is the turning point of this engrossing memoir.

The New York Times - Books

Is linked to Mr. Obama by: A former, though brief, rivalry in the 2008 presidential campaign.

The New York Times

Though brief – less than 160 pages – Imaginary Beings is dense and deep.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability and flow, vary sentence structure by placing "though brief" at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "though brief" as a complete sentence. It's a conjunctional phrase that needs to connect two related ideas. A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though brief" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a concession or contrast. It sets up a situation where something is limited in duration or extent, but still significant in some way, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though brief" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a contrast, acknowledging a short duration or limited extent while still highlighting significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its neutral to formal register makes it appropriate for both academic and news-related content. While alternatives exist, the phrase provides a clear and effective way to qualify statements. Common usage patterns indicate its prevalence in News & Media and Science, showing its wide applicability across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

albeit short

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the shortness of the duration or extent.

though concise

Similar to "though brief", but emphasizes the conciseness or terseness.

even if concise

This alternative stresses the conciseness of the subject matter despite the limitation.

while succinct

This alternative emphasizes the quality of being expressed briefly and clearly.

notwithstanding its brevity

This alternative is a more formal way of acknowledging the shortness of something.

even when short

This option offers a variation by using 'even when' to add emphasis on duration.

despite its shortness

This alternative directly addresses the limited duration or length.

albeit quickly

This alternative emphasizes the speed or rapidity of the subject matter.

while limited

This alternative highlights the restricted nature or scope of the subject.

even if limited

This option offers a variation by using 'even if' to add emphasis on scope.

FAQs

How can I use "though brief" in a sentence?

Use "though brief" to introduce a contrasting element that acknowledges the shortness or limited nature of something. For example, "Though brief, the encounter left a lasting impression."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "though brief"?

Similar phrases include "albeit short", "despite its shortness", or "even if concise", all indicating a limitation in duration or scope.

Is it acceptable to use "though brief" in formal writing?

Yes, "though brief" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its neutral tone and grammatical correctness make it versatile for various contexts.

What's the difference between "though brief" and "though briefly"?

"Though brief" describes the noun, while "though briefly" modifies the verb. For example, "Though brief, the visit was productive" versus "Though briefly mentioned, the issue is significant."