a fraction of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fraction of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a short period of time that is very brief, such as when speaking about reactions or reflexes. For example, "His reflex was so fast that he reacted in a fraction of a second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All that in a fraction of a second.

The Economist

"Everything changes within a fraction of a second".

The New York Times

And it all has to happen in a fraction of a second? A. It does.

The New York Times

"But for a fraction of a second I didn't know that.

The New York Times

"In a fraction of a second, the music stopped and there was a lot of screaming.

The Guardian

He paused for a fraction of a second and then said, "Great".

The New Yorker

She dared to let herself look for a fraction of a second into his eyes.

The New Yorker

"In a fraction of a second I lost all sense of time and space.

The Guardian

The valves switch on or off in a fraction of a second.

The New York Times

Afflalo stopped with him, but a fraction of a second late.

The New Yorker

He has the ball for a fraction of a second and he gets rid of it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fraction of a second" to emphasize how decisions, actions or processes occur extremely quickly. For example: "The investor made the trade in a fraction of a second."

Common error

While "a fraction of a second" is appropriate for expressing very short durations, avoid overusing it in writing. Varied phrasing enhances readability and prevents the text from sounding repetitive. Use alternatives such as "instantly" or "momentarily" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fraction of a second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the extremely short duration of an action or event. Ludwig examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fraction of a second" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to convey an extremely brief duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. To enhance your writing, consider diversifying your vocabulary with alternatives like ""a split second"" or ""an instant"" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement. Remember to use "a fraction of a second" to precisely describe events that occur almost instantaneously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a split second

Emphasizes the brevity and instantaneous nature of the time interval.

an instant

Highlights the immediacy and lack of perceptible duration.

a blink of an eye

Uses a visual metaphor to convey extreme speed and brevity.

in the blink of an eye

Similar to "a blink of an eye", emphasizing speed.

a heartbeat

Relates the duration to a physiological measure, suggesting a very short time.

a moment

A more general term for a short period of time, which may not be as brief as "a fraction of a second".

in a flash

Suggests suddenness and speed, like a burst of light.

a millisecond

A precise scientific measurement of a very short duration.

almost instantaneously

Formally conveys something that takes very little time.

in no time

An idiom expressing that something happens very quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fraction of a second" to describe something that happens extremely quickly. For instance, "The race was decided in "a fraction of a second"" or "He reacted in "a fraction of a second" to avoid the accident."

What are some alternatives to saying "a fraction of a second"?

Alternatives include "a split second", "an instant", or "a blink of an eye". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "in a fraction of a second" or "within a fraction of a second"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "in "a fraction of a second"" is more common and sounds more natural. "Within "a fraction of a second"" is less frequently used but still acceptable.

Can "a fraction of a second" be used to describe emotional responses?

Yes, it can be used to describe the speed of an emotional reaction. For example, "For "a fraction of a second", he felt a pang of regret" indicates the feeling was very brief.