A split second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A split second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very brief moment in time, often emphasizing the quickness of an action or decision. Example: "He made a split second decision to swerve and avoid the oncoming car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A split second passed.

The New York Times

A split second after this, he blinks.

The Guardian - Film

A split second's loss of concentration could equal disaster.

The Guardian

A Split Second of Paradise: Live Art, Installation and Performance.

Johns Hopkins University

A split second decision.

Huffington Post

Just a split second".

The New York Times - Sports

He pauses for a split second.

The New Yorker

For a split second, Ayers was nonplussed.

The New Yorker

"Weird," I pronounced after a split second.

The Guardian - Film

Butters thought for a split second.

The Washington Post

For a split second I was like..."...

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "A split second" to describe an event, ensure the context clearly establishes what occurred within that short time frame for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "A split second" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your language by using alternative expressions for brief moments of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A split second" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier indicating the brevity of an action or event. As shown by Ludwig, it often modifies verbs of action or decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "A split second" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to emphasize the brevity of an action or event. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and academic contexts, demonstrating its wide applicability. It conveys a sense of immediacy and quickness and is generally considered neutral in register. While highly useful, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "an instant" or "a fleeting moment" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An instant

A more general term for a very short period, lacking the sense of division or fraction implied by "split".

A fraction of a second

More precise and technical, emphasizing a small portion of time.

A blink of an eye

Uses a common idiom to describe something happening extremely quickly.

A fleeting moment

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the moment, rather than its decisiveness.

A flash

Suggests suddenness and transience, often associated with light or quick movements.

A heartbeat

Relates the brevity to a physiological measure, implying a very natural and quick occurrence.

A twinkling

Similar to a blink, suggests a quick and sparkling moment.

A moment's notice

Refers to the immediacy of something happening, highlighting lack of preparation time.

A trice

An older term for a very short time, now less commonly used.

A jiffy

Informal term for a very short time.

FAQs

How can I use "A split second" in a sentence?

You can use "A split second" to describe the duration of a very quick action or decision, for example: "He made "a split second decision" to swerve and avoid the accident."

What are some alternatives to "A split second"?

Alternatives include "a fleeting moment", "an instant", or "a blink of an eye" depending on the specific context.

Is "split second" one word or two?

"Split second" is typically used as two separate words when referring to a very short amount of time. The combined form, "split-second", is more often used as an adjective (e.g., a split-second decision).

What does it mean when someone says "in a split second"?

Saying something happened "in a split second" means it happened extremely quickly, almost instantaneously. It emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the event.