almost instantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'almost instantly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something happened in a short amount of time. For example: She reacted almost instantly when she heard the news.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost instantly, she'd redden.

The New Yorker

He regretted it almost instantly.

The New York Times

Almost instantly, there were problems.

The New York Times - Sports

It becomes repetitive almost instantly.

The Guardian - Tech

But the polish dried almost instantly.

The New York Times

But the first adjustment came almost instantly.

The New York Times

Yet, almost instantly, all was forgiven.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost instantly, the room resounded with applause.

The New Yorker

I remember almost instantly raising my bat.

Independent

Almost instantly there was a huge downpour.

The New York Times

In this case, that happens almost instantly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in a narrative, use "almost instantly" to create a sense of urgency or surprise for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "almost instantly" when the action takes a noticeable amount of time; it's best reserved for actions that happen in a split second. If the action takes a couple of seconds or minutes, then replace with less emphatic choices like "quickly" or "shortly after".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost instantly" functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate the speed or timing of an action, emphasizing how quickly something happens. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase clarifies the immediacy of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost instantly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates something happens very quickly. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used to emphasize the speed and near-immediacy of events. While it's suitable for many contexts, avoid overstating the immediacy if the action takes a noticeable amount of time. Consider alternatives like "almost immediately" or "nearly instantaneously" based on the level of formality required. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides various real-world examples, making it a reliable resource for understanding its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost immediately

A direct synonym, conveying the same sense of speed and promptness.

Nearly instantaneously

Emphasizes the immediacy and lack of delay, similar to "almost instantly" but with a more technical tone.

Virtually right away

Conveys a sense of happening with very little time passing.

Practically at once

Indicates that the event occurred very quickly, with minimal delay.

With little delay

Highlights the minimal amount of time that passed before the event.

Swiftly

Highlights the speed and quickness of the action.

In short order

Suggests that something was done quickly and efficiently.

Expeditiously

Formal term meaning with speed and efficiency.

On the double

Informal expression denoting rapid action or response.

Posthaste

An archaic term indicating great speed and urgency.

FAQs

How can I use "almost instantly" in a sentence?

You can use "almost instantly" to describe actions that happen very quickly, such as: "The pain went away "almost instantly", and Oshie was hooked."

What's a more formal alternative to "almost instantly"?

While "almost instantly" is suitable for many contexts, you might choose a more formal alternative like "nearly instantaneously" or "expeditiously" in academic or professional writing.

Is "almost instantly" interchangeable with "immediately"?

While similar, "almost instantly" implies a very slight delay, whereas "immediately" suggests there is no delay whatsoever. Choose the word that best reflects the actual timing of the event.

Which is correct, "almost instantly" or "instantaneously"?

Both are correct, but "almost instantly" suggests near-immediacy, while "instantaneously" implies true immediacy. Consider the context to decide which best fits the situation.