at any instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at any instant" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that could happen at any given moment. For example: "At any instant, the sky could turn grey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Comparing it with Uber's price at any instant is straightforward.

MIT Technology Review

Subtle shifts in social context can dramatically change what group we identify with at any instant.

Harvard Business Review

An irregular, idiosyncratic and largely unconscious process determines which of these internal players gets to control behavior at any instant.

The New York Times

These numbers give a sense of the incidence of flu at any instant but the accuracy is clearly limited.

MIT Technology Review

That's tricky with other techniques when several shots are required to determine the structure at any instant.

MIT Technology Review

Because the four pads can be activated or released independently, there are 256 possible step combinations at any instant.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The other two were told they "might be contacted for further instructions" at any moment via instant message.

The New York Times

Intermittent venting is thus predicted to occur at 132 sites at any given instant (95% CI: 70 203 sites).

Nature

However, although the algorithms average ranking of other pages produces the same hierarchy as a classical network, the quantum hierarchy may be different at any specific instant.

MIT Technology Review

At any given instant, multiple potential targets for saccades are present in the visual world, implying that a "selection process" within the brain determines the target of the next eye movement.

Stanford University

A radio wave being propagated through space will at any given instant have an amplitude variation along its direction of travel similar to that of its time variation, much like a wave traveling on a body of water.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific or technical processes, "at any instant" can help highlight the dynamic nature of the subject. For example, "The complete activity of the brain at any instant can be recorded using fMRI."

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overusing "at any instant" in highly formal writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "at a specific time" or "at a given moment" for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at any instant" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify a point in time. It indicates that something can occur or be true at any given moment, emphasizing the potential for spontaneity or immediacy. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Encyclopedias

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at any instant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates something may occur at any given moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and versatile. It carries a neutral register and is frequently found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. While its use is appropriate in many contexts, it is best to avoid overuse in highly formal writing where greater precision may be needed. Consider alternatives such as "at any moment" or "in an instant" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at any moment

This alternative emphasizes the potential for something to happen very soon.

at any time

This phrase is a broader substitute, indicating possibility without specifying immediacy.

at any given moment

This option specifies a particular moment chosen randomly or arbitrarily.

in an instant

This suggests something happening very quickly.

at a particular instant

This highlights a specific but unspecified moment.

at any point in time

This extends the possibility over a duration rather than a single moment.

at all times

This implies continuous possibility rather than a singular occurrence.

on any occasion

This suggests possibility across different instances or events.

at a moment's notice

This implies readiness or preparedness.

in a split second

This is an idiom to suggest an immediate timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "at any instant" in a sentence?

You can use "at any instant" to describe something that could happen or change unexpectedly. For example, "The weather can change at any instant", or "He might call at any instant".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "at any instant"?

Several phrases convey a similar meaning, including "at any moment", "at any time", or "in an instant depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "at any instant" or "at any moment"?

The phrases are generally interchangeable, with "at any moment" being slightly more common in everyday language. "At any instant" can sometimes lend a slightly more technical or emphatic tone.

Can "at any instant" be used to describe past events?

Yes, "at any instant" can be used to describe potential occurrences in the past, present, or future. For example, "At any instant during the race, he could have fallen."