For a fleeting second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "For a fleeting second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very brief moment in time, often to emphasize the transience of an experience or feeling. Example: "For a fleeting second, I thought I saw a glimpse of hope in her eyes before it vanished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For a fleeting second that looked like major drama.

The New York Times

For a fleeting second, four or five bottlenose dolphins curve out of the surf by the bow, before plunging back into the depths.

BBC

As you bite down, the tensile strength holds for a fleeting second, before a pop and the flow of juices.

The New Yorker

But for a fleeting second, maybe we should acknowledge the possibility of a positive collective spirit emerging from terrible tragedy.

The Guardian - Opinion

His eyebrows arched, his eyes widened and for a fleeting second he looked like a comic about to deliver a punch line.

The New York Times - Sports

Pads with the tear-off "College List" were posted everywhere, and for a fleeting second I considered grabbing one to show Nicole, but held back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Love in our life is just too valuable / Oh to feel for even a second without it / But life without death is just impossible / Oh, to realise something is ending within us," he sings gently, and for just a fleeting second, he's grabbed hold of nirvana.

The Guardian - Music

"Of course, if we are to respect for even a fleeting second the pronouncement of this holy man and his conviction, we certainly would expect that he turned over every single solitary penny of his possessions to a charity by the day before the end of the world.

Huffington Post

The demo eventually lost track of my hand and wasn't able to get it back — forgivable, given the early state of the project — but for a few fleeting seconds, I was finally getting a glimpse of AR tech that so many teams had promised me before.

TechCrunch

And so it was with the greatest pleasure and no regret that Philip flung the boy off the roof, and watched with a sense of mounting satisfaction as his body flailed uselessly in the air for a few fleeting seconds before hitting the tarmac with a dull thud.

The Guardian

It was Welshman Thomas who was once again the driving force behind Team Sky's defensive manoeuvres, and was on hand to help out Froome on a couple of occasions, with the Briton looking susceptible for the first time this year, if only for a few fleeting seconds.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "For a fleeting second" to add a touch of poetic brevity when describing events that occur almost instantaneously. It's effective in narrative writing to emphasize the transience of a feeling, sight, or sound.

Common error

Avoid using "For a fleeting second" in technical or scientific writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more exact measurements of time to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "For a fleeting second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the duration of an action. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use to describe transient experiences or brief moments of realization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "For a fleeting second" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, denoting a very brief moment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples of its usage in primarily news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it's a useful phrase for adding a touch of temporal specificity and transience to descriptions. Consider using alternatives like "for a brief moment" or "in an instant" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For a brief moment

Emphasizes the short duration, similar to the original phrase but uses 'brief' instead of 'fleeting'.

For a split second

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the event, using 'split' to denote a very short time.

In a heartbeat

Implies something happening very quickly, akin to a single beat of the heart.

In an instant

Focuses on the immediacy and lack of delay.

Just for a second

Directly refers to a very short duration of time.

For a short while

Indicates a limited duration, though potentially slightly longer than a 'fleeting second'.

Momentarily

Adverbial form expressing something lasting for just a moment.

For a passing moment

Describes something as transient and not lingering.

For a twinkling

Evokes a sense of something appearing and disappearing quickly, like a star's twinkle.

In the blink of an eye

Compares the speed of an event to the rapid closing and opening of an eye.

FAQs

What does "For a fleeting second" mean?

It means for a very brief moment or instant. It's used to describe something that happens quickly and doesn't last long.

How can I use "For a fleeting second" in a sentence?

You might say, "For a fleeting second, I thought I saw a ghost," to describe a quick, transient impression.

What can I say instead of "For a fleeting second"?

You can use alternatives like "for a brief moment", "for a split second", or "momentarily" depending on the context.

Is "For a fleeting second" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the literary or descriptive.