a thousandth of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thousandth of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing precise measurements of time, particularly in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "The athlete completed the race in a time of 9.58 seconds, breaking the previous record by a thousandth of a second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Everything changed momentarily, in a thousandth of a second.

The New York Times

"Combustion happens in a thousandth of a second," said Eddie Sturman, the technical director.

The New York Times

The transmission process can take less than a thousandth of a second.

The New York Times - Health

Muybridge took pictures with an exposure of a thousandth of a second.

The New York Times - Science

Then, suddenly, the claw snaps shut in less than a thousandth of a second.

The New York Times - Science

A thousandth of a second is known as a millisecond; a millionth of a second is a microsecond.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Without such effects, an atom would have a half-life of only about a thousandth of a trillionth 10-155) of a second.

The Economist

It only lives for a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second".

The New Yorker

This happened in bubbles smaller than the nucleus of an atom, which lasted only a billionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second.

The New York Times - Science

THE Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a machine which will measure events that happen within a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second.

The Economist

THE Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a machine whose experiments will measure events that happen within a millionth of a billionth of a billionth of a second.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, use "a thousandth of a second" or its numerical equivalent (0.001 seconds) in scientific and technical writing for accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "a thousandth of a second" interchangeably with "a microsecond". A microsecond is one millionth of a second, which is significantly shorter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thousandth of a second" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifying a precise and very short duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for contexts requiring accuracy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thousandth of a second" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing a very short duration of time. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts like news, science, and sports. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for scenarios demanding precision, and can be replaced with alternatives like "one millisecond" or "0.001 seconds" for technical accuracy. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's crucial to differentiate it from other time units like microseconds. Therefore, understanding its correct usage is essential for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one millisecond

Uses the scientific term for a thousandth of a second.

0.001 seconds

Expresses the duration numerically.

a millisecond

Simplifies to the standard unit of measurement.

an extremely short time

Focuses on the brevity of the duration without precise measurement.

a very brief moment

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of the time.

a split second

Highlights the quickness of the event.

an instant

Suggests an almost imperceptible duration.

a fraction of a second

Indicates a small part of a second.

a tiny fraction of time

Highlights the minimal amount of time passed.

a fleeting moment

Captures the transient nature of the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thousandth of a second" to describe extremely short durations, especially in scientific or technical contexts. For example: "The reaction occurred in "a thousandth of a second"."

What's another way to say "a thousandth of a second"?

Alternatives include "one millisecond" or 0.001 seconds, both of which are scientifically accurate and widely understood.

Is it correct to say "one thousandth of a second" instead of "a thousandth of a second"?

Both "a thousandth of a second" and "one thousandth of a second" are grammatically correct and acceptable, but "a thousandth of a second" is more common.

How does "a thousandth of a second" compare to other units of time?

A "thousandth of a second" is longer than "a millionth of a second" (microsecond) but shorter than "a hundredth of a second". It's a very brief duration often relevant in high-speed processes.