a flash of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flash of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very brief moment in time, often emphasizing the speed or suddenness of an event. Example: "In a flash of a second, the car swerved to avoid the obstacle in the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We looked out the window: a herd of camels, for a flash of a second.

The New York Times

A flash of a second!

TechCrunch

WHAM! POW! BANG! You, too, can recreate Kick-Ass with the Citizen Walking Cane, a crazy cane that turns into a tonfa self-defense stick and lets you "learn how to disable and subdue an opponent in a flash of a second".

TechCrunch

To Disappear In Just A Flash Of A Second... Nothing Lasts Forever...🍂.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Think of the chaos and unremitting stress of the unknown when assumptions and beliefs you built your life on disappear in the flash of a second: being critically injured in an accident; receiving a dreaded diagnosis; becoming suddenly widowed.

Huffington Post

You expect a flash of lightning the first time your club rips into the ball, disturbing the ground.

The New York Times - Travel

Balls shows a flash of temper for the first time: I don't really give a toss, to be honest with you.

The Guardian

I then illuminated the scene with a flash of light for less than a second.

The New York Times

For two years, Dost had limped along at Wolfsburg, occasionally showing a flash of talent, but largely playing second fiddle to other, more reliable strikers.

Independent

The light's characteristic is a flash of white light every ten seconds.

Wikipedia

Robin infects Cannon's computer with a virus: every time he types an upper-case "A" or a lower-case "x," a message would flash for a fifteenth of a second on the screen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a flash of a second" to emphasize the suddenness or unexpected nature of an event. For example, "The opportunity vanished in a flash of a second."

Common error

While "a flash of a second" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing, as more precise or technical language may be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "instantaneously" or "momentarily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flash of a second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the duration of an action. It indicates that something happened very quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

16.66%

Science

16.66%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flash of a second" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe an event that happens very quickly. Ludwig AI confirms it as usable in English writing. Although not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. When using this phrase, remember that alternatives such as "in an instant" or "in a split second" may be more suitable depending on the level of formality required. While technically sound, overuse should be avoided in favor of more precise language in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an instant

Replaces the phrase with a simpler term for immediate occurrence.

in a split second

Highlights the very brief duration, similar to the original.

in the blink of an eye

Uses a common idiom to describe something happening very quickly.

momentarily

Focuses on the brief duration of an action or event.

in a heartbeat

Emphasizes the speed and ease with which something happens.

almost immediately

Shifts the focus slightly to near-instantaneous timing.

in a trice

Offers an older, slightly more formal way to say 'very quickly'.

right away

Conveys immediacy, though less focused on the brevity itself.

before you knew it

Focuses on the perceived speed from the observer's perspective.

in short order

Indicates speed and efficiency in completing a task.

FAQs

How can I use "a flash of a second" in a sentence?

You can use "a flash of a second" to describe something that happens very quickly or instantaneously. For example, "The car disappeared down the street in a flash of a second".

What can I say instead of "a flash of a second"?

You can use alternatives like "in an instant", "in a split second", or "momentarily" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in a flash of a second"?

Yes, "a flash of a second" is grammatically correct and understandable. However, consider whether alternatives might be more suitable depending on your audience and the desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "a flash of a second" and "in an instant"?

"A flash of a second" emphasizes the brevity and suddenness of the occurrence, while "in an instant" simply indicates that something happened immediately. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.