at a precise moment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a precise moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time when something occurs or is observed. Example: "The fireworks lit up the sky at a precise moment, marking the start of the New Year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The millennium bug is technical and will bite at a precise moment.

The Economist

Sometimes, at a precise moment in history, all it takes is for one person to stand up.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Bonello situates his film at a precise moment in time: what two title cards describe as "the twilight of the 19th century" and "the dawn of the 20th century".

The New York Times

He succeeds because of the approach to the skill, not the skill itself: the movement of his hips, the jerk of his toes up at a precise moment, just before he lets go of the bar.

The New Yorker

The company is eager to move into the drone market, and had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a drone that could hold a basketball up in the air and then release it at a precise moment.

The New Yorker

At a precise moment along the descent — usually around five o'clock, depending on the move that will follow — the gymnast arches his or her back and the kicks behind the body.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is notoriously controversial whether there is a precise moment at which human people begin to exist, and if so when that moment is.

SEP

Likewise, Twitter, another social networking site best described as a micro blog, has members sharing what they are doing at any precise moment in a single sentence.

The New York Times

Well-timed marketing strategies now ensure that awareness and media buzz are at a maximum, and critical and public opinion at a minimum, at the precise moment a movie swamps cinema screens across the world, ensuring a big sugar-rush in the first week of release.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, values of many hormones are variable during the day, and as is it logistically very difficult to measure each patient at a precise similar moment, this would influence the results too much.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Mr. Nagin rang a bell at the precise moment a major levee broke two years ago, and the musician Irvin Mayfield, who lost his father in the storm, played a raucous and angry dirge on his trumpet in the sweltering heat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a precise moment" when you want to emphasize the importance of timing or the exactness of an event's occurrence. For example, "The drug must be administered at a precise moment to be effective."

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the actor is obscured when using "at a precise moment". Instead of saying "Mistakes were made at a precise moment", specify who made the mistakes: "The technician made a critical error at a precise moment during the calibration."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a precise moment" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs with notable accuracy. Ludwig AI highlights this phrase's ability to pinpoint events within a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a precise moment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that pinpoints the exact timing of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the accuracy and importance of when something occurs. While it finds frequent use in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, its register remains neutral, making it suitable for diverse audiences. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "at an exact instant" or "at a specific point in time" offer similar meanings while varying the wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at an exact instant

Replaces "precise" with "exact" and "moment" with "instant", emphasizing the immediacy.

at the precise instant

Replaces "moment" with "instant" to emphasize the very short duration.

at a specific point in time

Substitutes "precise moment" with a more descriptive and slightly more formal phrase.

at the exact second

Adds a level of granularity by specifying "second" instead of a more general "moment".

on cue

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating perfect timing, especially in performance contexts.

on a dime

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of something happening instantly and precisely.

in the nick of time

Expresses the idea of something happening just before it's too late, adding a sense of urgency.

at the stroke of

An idiomatic expression specifying a certain time on the clock.

right when

A more informal expression to designate a particular moment.

punctually

Focuses on adherence to a strict schedule, emphasizing the accuracy of timing.

FAQs

How can I use "at a precise moment" in a sentence?

You can use "at a precise moment" to emphasize the exact timing of an event. For instance, "The stock price plummeted "at a precise moment" after the announcement."

What's a more formal alternative to "at a precise moment"?

A more formal alternative would be "at a specific point in time" or "at the designated time". These phrases offer a similar meaning but with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "at a precise moment"?

While grammatically correct, using "at a precise moment" might be redundant if the precision isn't crucial to the context. In such cases, simply using "at that moment" might suffice.

Which is better: "at a precise moment" or "at the precise moment"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "at the precise moment" implies a higher degree of specificity and often refers to a previously mentioned or particularly significant point in time.