a split second

USAGE SUMMARY

"a split second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a very short amount of time, like a blink of an eye. Example sentence: I didn't have time to react; it all happened in a split second.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just a split second".

The New York Times - Sports

A split second passed.

The New York Times

He pauses for a split second.

The New Yorker

For a split second, Ayers was nonplussed.

The New Yorker

"Weird," I pronounced after a split second.

The Guardian - Film

Butters thought for a split second.

The Washington Post

A split second after this, he blinks.

The Guardian - Film

For a split second I was like..."...

The Guardian - Music

She paused for a split second.

The New Yorker

Kurt Zouma hesitated for a split second.

The Guardian - Sport

It all happens seemingly automatically and in a split second.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a split second" to convey the instantaneous nature of an action or decision. It's effective when emphasizing the speed and lack of deliberation involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a split second" in contexts where a more deliberate or prolonged timeframe is implied. It can feel jarring if the surrounding description suggests a more gradual process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a split second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the extremely short duration in which an action occurs or a decision is made. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a split second" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe an extremely short duration. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is adverbial, emphasizing speed and immediacy across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable in formal writing, be mindful of overusing it in slow-paced descriptions. Consider alternatives like "a fleeting moment" or "an instant" to add nuance. The phrase is versatile and effectively conveys the swiftness of an event or decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an instant

Highlights the immediacy and near-simultaneous occurrence of an event.

a blink of an eye

Uses a visual metaphor to illustrate the speed and brevity of the time span.

a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the time period.

in a flash

Uses the metaphor of flash to describe how something happen with speed.

a flash

Implies a sudden and quick appearance or occurrence.

almost immediately

Highlights the lack of delay in the event's occurrence.

a heartbeat

Relates the duration to a physiological measure, conveying a sense of quickness.

in no time

Focuses on the rapidity with which something happens.

a jiffy

Suggests a brief and casual amount of time.

a trice

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

FAQs

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

Use "a split second" to describe actions or decisions that happen almost instantaneously. For example, "He made the decision in "a split second"."

What are some alternatives to "a split second"?

Alternatives include "a fleeting moment", "an instant", or "a blink of an eye", each conveying a similar sense of brief duration.

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

Yes, "a split second" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing to emphasize the brevity of an action or decision.

What's the difference between "a split second" and "a moment"?

"A split second" refers to an extremely short period of time, whereas "a moment" can imply a slightly longer, though still brief, duration.