a split of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a split of a second" is correct and usable in written English and can be used to describe an immediate action or shift.
For example, "She turned the corner in a split of a second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If they think like this, they can write and create a complex sentence in a split of a second, which amazed me.

Huffington Post

Our object recognition abilities, a direct product of our experience with objects, are fine-tuned to perfection – we need just a split of a second to recognize an everyday object and its function [1].

Plosone

During speech and also during singing, all these mentioned features rapidly change at a split of a second (Sundberg et al. 1992).

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When they first arrive at a webpage, they scan it in the split of a second.

Huffington Post

LOS ANGELES — Returning home with a split of the first two games of a playoff series would buoy spirits in many cities.

The New York Times - Sports

A'S AND ANGELS SPLIT Scott Sizemore singled with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting host Oakland to a 4-3 victoverover Los Angeles and a split of the first scheduled doubleheader in the major leagues in eight years.

The New York Times - Sports

As he anchored a 4x400-meter relay with a split of 44.2 seconds, Johnson displayed his own peculiar, reliable form -- low knee lift, ramrod-straight back -- for the last time in the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Swimming the second leg, Hardy had a split of 53.53 seconds and the team finished with a total time of 3 34.24, an American record.

Wikipedia

Those ten or so closest will receive a small cash prize – a split of maybe $200 or $300, with first place receiving the largest chunk.

TechCrunch

The second mechanism is a split of income.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

The first mechanism is a split of authority.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a split of a second" to emphasize how quickly an event or action occurs. It is more impactful than simply saying "quickly" or "fast."

Common error

While "a split of a second" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "almost instantaneously" or "in a fraction of a second".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a split of a second" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the extreme brevity of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an immediate shift.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a split of a second" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to illustrate the immediacy and rapidity of an event. As Ludwig AI underlines, it’s effective for emphasizing quick actions across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While versatile, it’s best used when you intend to highlight something happening almost instantaneously, and in situations where slightly less precision is needed, consider alternatives such as "a fraction of a second" for a more formal tone. Avoid overuse in highly formal writing, and remember its strength lies in conveying a sense of sudden, swift action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fraction of a second

Replaces "split" with "fraction", emphasizing the brevity of the time.

in a heartbeat

Uses a more figurative expression to denote immediate action.

in an instant

Emphasizes the immediacy of the action or event.

in a flash

Uses a metaphor to convey how quickly something happens.

in the blink of an eye

Figurative language emphasizing suddenness and speed.

almost instantaneously

Formal alternative using an adverb to highlight speed.

in a mere second

Highlights the briefness of the second with the word 'mere'.

in a trice

An older, less common idiom for a very short time.

before you know it

Emphasizes the unexpected quickness of an event.

momentarily

A single-word adverb denoting a very brief duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a split of a second" to emphasize the speed or immediacy of an action. For example: "She reacted in "a split of a second", preventing the accident."

What phrases are similar to "a split of a second"?

Similar phrases include "a fraction of a second", "in an instant", or "in a heartbeat". These all convey a very short period of time.

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

While grammatically correct, "a split of a second" might be considered less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "almost instantaneously".

What is the difference between "a split of a second" and "a moment"?

"A split of a second" refers to an extremely short, almost imperceptible duration. "A moment" /s/a+moment is more general and can refer to a slightly longer, though still brief, period of time.