a sliver of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sliver 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 fleeting nature of that moment. Example: "The car missed the pedestrian by a sliver of a second, highlighting just how close the accident could have been."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Maybe for only a sliver of a second.

The New Yorker

Those swirls are traces of gravitational waves rippling through the fabric of spacetime a sliver of a second after the big bang, argue researchers working with the Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization 2 (BICEP2) telescope.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For this show, she created a home office in a sliver of a room on the first floor, installing a white wooden wall unit against muted sage walls, adding bird-shaped pewter knobs and drawer pulls that resemble roses.

The New York Times

Just this once, competitors from foreign countries or from America's smaller independent studios who dare to compete with the might of Tinseltown may be in with a sliver of a chance.For the first time in many years there is a new confidence in the local film industries of some of Hollywood's richest markets.

The Economist

A hundredth is a tiny amount of time, and a thousandth is a sliver of a sliver".

The New Yorker

Pommes Frites 123 Second Avenue A sliver of a shop offering paper cones of Belgian-style fries in three sizes, with 26 sauce options, including smoked eggplant mayonnaise and parmesan peppercorn.

The New York Times

Now that her daughter has recovered, Ms. Gaynor, right, is back in the cookie business, with her first store, a sliver of a bakery shop, Ruby et Violette, at 457 West 50th Street (open Monday through Friday).

The New York Times - Food

Whit Stillman's effervescent, calmly profound first feature, from 1990, looks at a sliver of a sliver, the barely collegiate subset of what one character calls the urban haute bourgeoisie — rich Wasp preppies whose lives are centered on Park and Fifth Avenues.

The New Yorker

He let slip a sliver of a smile.

The New York Times - Sports

A sliver of a tear lined his eyelid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This time by a sliver of a point to Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sliver of a second" to emphasize the brevity and almost imperceptible nature of an event or action. For example, "The opportunity vanished in a sliver of a second" highlights how quickly it was lost.

Common error

While descriptive, "a sliver of a second" can sound informal in scientific or highly technical writing. Consider using more precise terms like "milliseconds" or "microseconds" for accuracy and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sliver of a second" functions as an adverbial modifier to describe the duration of an action or event. It specifies how quickly something occurs, emphasizing the extreme brevity of the time frame, Ludwig AI confirmed this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sliver of a second" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the extremely short duration of an event. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it leans towards informal use, advising against its overuse in formal settings where precision is key. Alternatives like "a split second" or "an instant" may offer similar emphasis. Use this phrase when you need to highlight the fleeting and almost imperceptible nature of a moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a split second

This alternative is shorter and emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the moment.

a fleeting moment

This alternative highlights the brief and transient nature of the time period.

an instant

This alternative provides a more direct and simple way to describe a very short time.

a fraction of a second

This alternative emphasizes the small portion of time involved.

a blink of an eye

This alternative uses a simile to illustrate how quickly the time passes.

a heartbeat

This alternative provides a physiological comparison to represent a short duration.

a microsecond

This alternative uses a scientific term to indicate an extremely short time period.

in the twinkling of an eye

This alternative is a more figurative and emphatic way to describe a very short duration.

a mere second

This alternative emphasizes how insignificant the amount of time is.

just a moment

This alternative broadens the timeframe slightly but still denotes a short duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sliver of a second" to describe something that happens very quickly, such as "The race was decided in "a sliver of a second"".

What are some alternatives to "a sliver of a second"?

Alternatives include "a split second", "a fleeting moment", or "an instant". Each emphasizes the brief duration in slightly different ways.

Is it appropriate to use "a sliver of a second" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a sliver of a second" may be considered informal for some formal contexts. More precise language might be preferred, such as specifying milliseconds or microseconds.

What does "a sliver of a second" emphasize that other similar phrases might not?

"A sliver of a second" emphasizes not just the brevity, but also the almost imperceptible or insignificant nature of the time period. It suggests something extremely thin and fleeting.