at every instant

USAGE SUMMARY

"at every instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used in an explanatory or descriptive manner to emphasize that something happens continually or happens very frequently. For example, "The wind whipped through the trees at every instant, sending red, yellow and orange and leaves in every direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You understand, at every instant, what the Ghost feels and knows, and you fear for him.

The New Yorker

The present moment seems to commit joyful suicide at every instant.

University of California, Berkeley

The communication channel is a shared resource in networked control systems, and channel access at every instant cannot be guaranteed.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

At every instant of time, velocity potential is computed at each node and the nodal positions are updated.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

It uses a dynamic hybrid model, which means that discrete events and continuous phenomena are interconnected at every instant.

Fire Safety Journal

In resistive evolution a quasistatic plasma is assumed to be in mechanical equilibrium at every instant of time.

Journal of Computational Physics

Every dancer came through with stupendous attack, energizing the choreography at every instant.

The New York Times

The "matter" of corporeal things has the power to become a new form at every instant; and the resulting matter form complex is at every instant a new matter ready for, desiring, and moving toward another form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The condition (1.2) ensures that, at almost every instant of time, at most one of controllers b 1 ⃗ and b 2 ⃗ is active.

Advances in Difference Equations

Even though we can't vote them in or out at this every instant, we can remind them of our opinions.

Huffington Post

At each and every instant he is entirely one with his action….

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at every instant" to add emphasis when describing something that occurs with high frequency or without interruption. This is especially effective in descriptive or explanatory writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at every instant" in sentences where a simpler adverb like "always" or "constantly" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at every instant" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the frequency or timing of an action. As Ludwig AI states, it emphasizes that something happens continually or very frequently, providing temporal detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at every instant" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to emphasize the continuous or highly frequent nature of an event. The phrase is versatile, appearing across various contexts from science and news to encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability, although it should be employed mindfully to avoid verbosity. Remember, simpler adverbs like "constantly" or "continuously" might often be more appropriate, but when emphasis is key, "at every instant" provides that additional layer of focus. It’s a great tool for adding a sense of persistence or immediacy to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at each moment

Slightly shorter and more direct alternative.

each and every moment

More emphatic and slightly verbose version of the original.

constantly

A single adverb replacing the prepositional phrase for brevity.

continuously

Synonymous adverb focusing on uninterrupted action.

incessantly

Adverb emphasizing the relentless nature of the action.

perpetually

Highlights the ongoing and seemingly endless nature of the action.

every single time

Emphasizes each individual occurrence.

at all times

Rephrasing to emphasize universal applicability across time.

without exception

Focuses on the absence of any instance where the action doesn't occur.

on every occasion

Shifts the focus to specific instances or events.

FAQs

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

Use "at every instant" to emphasize continuous or very frequent occurrences. For example, "The machine monitors the pressure "at every instant" to prevent malfunctions."

What phrases are similar to "at every instant"?

Similar phrases include "constantly", "continuously", or "incessantly", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "at every instant" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "at every instant" can be used in formal writing, particularly in scientific or descriptive contexts where precision and emphasis are important. However, be mindful of overuse, as it can sometimes sound verbose. Simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What's the difference between "at every instant" and "at every moment"?

While similar, "at every instant" often implies a more continuous and unbroken sequence, whereas "at every moment" can suggest a series of distinct points in time. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the action or its occurrence at individual moments.