Momentarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Momentarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something will happen in a short amount of time or very soon. Example: "The train will arrive momentarily, so please stand back from the platform edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has hinted there may still be a story to tell about that and said in an interview with Lu Martín in El País in 2012, that his mindset momentarily changed, something slipped and it saddened him.

The Guardian - Sport

The NUT did manage to propel the issue of funding momentarily into the headlines in the middle of an election campaign, which is where it should be.

The Guardian

One well-known actor once told me how he lost a lucrative contract for a leading brand of dog food after he momentarily forgot this golden rule.

The Guardian

Beneath the eye of eternity, he becomes momentarily modest: "I don't think I'm particularly brave or have had a specially extraordinary experience.

The Guardian

Ignoring the etiquette tips that have proliferated online since 'selfie' was declared Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, the three world leaders appeared to momentarily forget the solemnity of the occasion, adopting the mandatory cheesy grins.

The Guardian

As Joanna Biggs points out in her fabulous just-published oral history of Britain at work, All Day Long: "The nation of shopkeepers has become a nation of disappointed bakers and momentarily cheerful hotdog men.

The Guardian

Eels front-rower Richie Fa'aoso could come under the scrutiny of the match review committee after a raised forearm on George Burgess momentarily stopped play late in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

With throngs of shoppers darting in and out of stores on Grafton Street and drinkers slaking their thirsts outside the pubs on side streets all the way up to St Stephen's Green, you could be forgiven for wondering, momentarily at least: recession, what recession?

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, perhaps, Tett stepped out of her chair role's impartiality momentarily to demur at that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Seconds before the shooting, it appears that Zanbrano-Montes momentarily raises his hands in the air.

The Guardian

In the fifth, Lee raised his right glove and invited a momentarily passive Quillin in, drawing a vocal reaction from the crowd of 12,300.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Momentarily" to indicate that something will happen very soon or last for a very short time. It adds a sense of immediacy or brevity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "momentarily" when you mean "momentous". "Momentarily" refers to a short time, while "momentous" describes something of great importance or significance.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Momentarily" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the duration or timing of an action. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its use to express actions occurring briefly or in the immediate future. For example, "he becomes "momentarily" modest" or "Grimshaw "momentarily" played the wrong track".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sport

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Momentarily" is a versatile adverb used to denote actions or states that are brief in duration or will occur very soon. Ludwig AI affirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in News & Media and Sports contexts. While it can fit in many situations, it's important not to confuse it with "momentous". Alternatives like "shortly" or "in a moment" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively incorporate "Momentarily" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In a moment

Indicates something will happen very soon.

In a short while

Similar to "in a moment" but slightly more informal.

Shortly

Implies something will occur in the near future.

Briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of an action or state.

Soon

A general term for something happening in the near future.

Presently

Suggests an action will happen soon, often in a formal context.

For a moment

Highlights a very short, specific period of time.

For a short time

Focuses on the limited duration of an event.

For an instant

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of an occurrence.

Just for a second

Highlights the very brief nature of an action or state.

FAQs

How can I use "Momentarily" in a sentence?

You can use "Momentarily" to indicate that something will happen very soon or for a very short time. For example, "The show will begin "momentarily"" or "I was "momentarily" distracted by the noise".

What's a good substitute for "Momentarily"?

Alternatives to "Momentarily" include "shortly", "in a moment", or "briefly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I'll be there momentarily"?

Yes, saying "I'll be there "momentarily"" is a perfectly acceptable way to indicate that you will arrive very soon.

What is the difference between "Momentarily" and "Temporarily"?

"Momentarily" means for a very short time, while "temporarily" means for a limited time, but potentially longer than a moment.