a passing second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief moment in time, often emphasizing the fleeting nature of that moment. Example: "In a passing second, everything changed, and I realized how fragile life can be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The impact that Trump's wielding of the power and megaphone of the presidency is having on others — and on the country he leads — is, for Trump, simply not worth addressing for a passing second.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was the notion that he was a runner first and a passer second.

The New York Times - Sports

He was referring to a law passed first during the Weimar Republic, Norquist said.

Huffington Post

"I'm a pass-first guy; I know I'm a playmaker," Drouin said.

The New York Times - Sports

Make no mistake: these Steelers are still a pass-first club.

The New York Times

Renowned as a pass-first, wide-open offense, Marshall had 210 yards rushing.

The New York Times - Sports

Felton became a pass-first point guard after the intermission, allowing role players like Steve Novak, Rasheed Wallace and Ronnie Brewer to score.

The New York Times - Sports

West with a pass-first offensive mind-set, say the Giants have branded them a soft team.

The New York Times - Sports

The Knicks signed Chris Duhon, a pass-first point guard, to take charge of D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense.

The New York Times - Sports

Hammon, a pass-first point guard who excels at creating open shots for her teammates, nevertheless leads Russia in scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

Washington would love nothing more than to get in a pass-first shootout with a Nebraska team that can't pass with any consistency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing second" to emphasize the brevity and fleeting nature of an event, decision, or emotion. It's particularly effective when highlighting the significance of something that occurs quickly.

Common error

Avoid using excessive descriptive language when "a passing second" already conveys brevity. Redundancy can weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing second" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how briefly something occurs or lasts. Ludwig examples show it used to highlight the transience of events or states. It adds emphasis to the speed and fleeting nature of an action or realization.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Sports

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing second" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples where it effectively emphasizes the brief and fleeting nature of an event. While it appears in a variety of sources, ranging from news media to scientific publications, it's essential to avoid redundancy by using it judiciously. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "a fleeting moment" or "a split second".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing moment

Similar to the original phrase, highlighting transience.

a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the moment.

a brief instant

Highlights the quickness and immediacy of the occurrence.

a split second

Refers to a very short and almost imperceptible duration.

a sudden instant

Highlights the unexpectedness and rapidity of the moment.

a moment's notice

Implies suddenness and lack of preparation time.

a quick flash

Conveys the idea of something appearing and disappearing rapidly.

a short while

Indicates a relatively small amount of time.

a mere instant

Underscores the insignificance of the time period.

a brief period

Emphasizes the limited duration of an event or state.

FAQs

How can "a passing second" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a passing second" to emphasize how quickly something happened or changed. For instance, "In "a passing second", everything changed and I understood the gravity of the situation."

What are some alternatives to "a passing second"?

Alternatives include "a fleeting moment", "a brief instant", or "a split second". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a passing moment" or "a passing second"?

"A passing moment" and "a passing second" are very similar, with "moment" generally implying a slightly longer duration than "second". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of specificity.

In what contexts is "a passing second" most effective?

"A passing second" is most effective in contexts where you want to emphasize how little time something took, particularly when that brevity is surprising or significant. It is frequently used in narrative or descriptive writing.