a precise instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a precise instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in time with accuracy or exactness. Example: "The experiment required us to measure the temperature at a precise instant to ensure accurate results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given the continuity of motion, there must be a precise instant in time, call it t, at which I leave the room.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ad hoc decisions were defined as critical judgements that are needed for a specific purpose at a precise moment, with the goal of ensuring instant and adequate patient care and a fluent flow of ICU activities [ 26].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

By ' ad hoc decision making', we mean critical judgements that are needed for a specific purpose at a precise moment with the goal of ensuring instant and adequate patient care and a fluent flow of activities in the ICU.

Critical Care

RevTech applications use the transactional data captured by CRM systems to generate predictive guidance at the moment of value: the precise instant when a decision needs to be made by an individual, manager or executive.

TechCrunch

A critical fact, nevertheless, is the difficulty of obtaining detailed network parameters in the precise instant of a geomagnetic storm and determining the topology of the network for a given amplitude of the incident field.

Earth, Planets and Space

At what precise instant do a bunch of people wearing berets realize that they're not people wearing berets, but existentialists?

The New Yorker

Even when it ends in a blowout, there is always a final highlight, a moment to be seared in the memory of fans as the precise instant their team became a champion.

The New York Times

An ideal example of "Irreconcilable Images" is Lifeguard, shot while O'Leary was walking down the beach in Nantucket and observed a second lifeguard momentarily bent down to take a bite out of his sandwich at the precise instant the photo was taken--a decisive moment for sure, to quote Brassaï.

Huffington Post

Each ticket is printed with a unique bar code stripe that not only helps to control counterfeit tickets but also sends valuable information to a central computer, so that the club gets precise, instant counts on attendance and traffic patterns, which in turn enables the redeployment of ushers, concession workers, kegs of beer and even extra mobile turnstiles.

The New York Times - Tech

Matters like occupation and a marriage partner were decided then, as was the precise instant of death.

The New York Times

And how can it be that I'm now, at this precise instant, listening -- "on Spotify" -- to a song I've never heard of?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing critical events or decisions, use "a precise instant" to underscore the importance of timing and accuracy. For example: 'The surgeon needed to act at "a precise instant" to save the patient's life.'

Common error

Avoid using "a precise instant" excessively in your writing. While it's effective for emphasizing timing, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "exact moment" or "specific point in time" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a precise instant" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes a specific and exact point in time, emphasizing accuracy and immediacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and appropriate in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a precise instant" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific and exact point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct. Although relatively rare, as shown in the Ludwig examples, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and science-related content. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives such as "an exact moment" or "a specific moment in time". When accuracy and timing are critical, "a precise instant" can be effective, but moderation is key to maintaining writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exact moment

Replaces 'precise' with 'exact', emphasizing accuracy.

a specific moment in time

Adds 'in time' for clarity, making it slightly more descriptive.

a particular point in time

Uses 'particular' instead of 'precise', indicating a specific instance.

the exact second

Specifies the unit of time, making it more granular.

the very moment

Adds emphasis using 'very', highlighting the importance of the instant.

a defined time

Uses 'defined' to indicate a clearly specified point in time.

a pinpoint moment

Uses 'pinpoint' to emphasize the accuracy and narrowness of the moment.

an accurate point in time

Replaces 'precise' with 'accurate' with similar focus on exactness.

the specific timing

Shifts focus to the 'timing' aspect while maintaining specificity.

a clear cut instant

Uses 'clear cut' to emphasize the distinctness of the moment.

FAQs

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

Use "a precise instant" to highlight the critical importance of a specific moment. Example: "The photographer captured "a precise instant" that revealed the essence of the subject."

What phrases are similar to "a precise instant"?

Alternatives include "an exact moment", "a specific moment in time", or "a particular point in time", depending on the desired level of emphasis and detail.

Is "precise moment" the same as "a precise instant"?

Yes, "precise moment" and "a precise instant" are largely interchangeable. The inclusion of 'instant' often adds a subtle emphasis on the brevity or immediacy of the moment.

What is the difference between "a precise instant" and "an approximate time"?

"A precise instant" refers to a specific and exact point in time, while "an approximate time" implies an estimated or rough timeframe. The former emphasizes accuracy, whereas the latter acknowledges uncertainty.