a particular instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a particular instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in time, often in contexts discussing events or actions that occur at that moment. Example: "At a particular instant, the lights flickered, and the room fell silent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

To the extent that there are profiles created of them arising from a particular instant or a particular stereotyping, they don't like them quite as much".

The New York Times - Sports

Faulk will sometimes walk off the field after a play and describe what he sees in almost photographic terms, Jackson and Montgomery said, as if he knew the exact location of all 11 defenders in a particular instant.

The New York Times - Sports

"So when they're talking about a particular instant in, say, a football game, they can view it from the sideline, or the referee's perspective, or the goalie's – even if there wasn't a camera there".

The Guardian

In our case, the vector α → is the parameter which represents the configuration of the system at a particular instant.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Clock value of a node at a particular instant of time depends on its initial value and the frequency of the crystal oscillator used in the sensor node.

Ad Hoc Networks

Central to the study are 'elementary failure regions', which are defined as the failure region in the load space corresponding to the failure of a particular output response at a particular instant.

Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The crosslinks provided an uninterrupted communication path between the satellite serving a user at any particular instant and the satellite connecting the entire constellation with the gateway ground station to the PSTN.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At any particular instant during its flight (t), A occupies a place exactly equivalent to its length, that is, A is "against what is equal".

SEP

For a wave moving across the surface of a sea, the equation relates how fast a tiny piece of water is physically deforming, at any particular instant, in space (on the left) and time (on the right).

The Guardian

The dynamic analysis generates four linear equations of motion, which, at any particular instant, only one applies.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

What's happening is that we're turning off parts of the chip that you don't need at any particular instant".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a particular instant" when you want to emphasize a specific, identifiable moment in time, especially when describing a series of events or a process.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "a particular instant" in descriptive writing. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "moment", "time", or more descriptive phrases to enhance readability and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a particular instant" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier specifying the timing of an action or event. It indicates a precise moment under consideration. Ludwig's examples show it used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a particular instant" is a versatile noun phrase used to pinpoint a specific moment in time, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains make it a reliable choice for precise communication. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and EURASIP using it to add specificity. When writing, remember that while effective, alternatives like "a specific moment" or "a certain time" can offer variety and prevent redundancy. Using "a particular instant" effectively involves clear intention and context setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific moment

Replaces "particular" with "specific" emphasizing precision.

a given moment

Substitutes "particular" with "given" suggesting a designated time.

a certain time

Uses "certain" instead of "particular", indicating a definite but unspecified time.

a precise time

Replaces "particular" with "precise", highlighting accuracy in time.

a point in time

Offers a more generic reference to a moment without specifying its nature.

a split second

Focuses on the brevity of the moment, emphasizing its fleeting nature.

a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient nature of the instant.

a unique moment

Emphasizes the singularity and distinctiveness of the time.

a singular point in time

Highlights the unique and unrepeatable characteristic of the specific moment

that very instant

Uses "that very" to create more emphasis on the moment, expressing the immediacy.

FAQs

How can I use "a particular instant" in a sentence?

Use "a particular instant" to refer to a specific point in time. For example, "At "a particular instant" during the experiment, the reaction changed color."

What are some alternatives to "a particular instant"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific moment", "a given moment", or "a certain time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a particular instant" or "at a particular point in time"?

"A particular instant" is more concise. "At a particular point in time" is more descriptive and can be used when you want to emphasize the specific timing of an event, but using the first one may add value and is more specific.

What's the difference between "a particular instant" and "a specific instant"?

Both "a particular instant" and "a specific instant" are largely interchangeable. However, "particular" might suggest something distinct within a larger context, while "specific" emphasizes precision.