at that instant

USAGE SUMMARY

"at that instant" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular moment in time, for example: "At that instant, I knew that something was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They can't get the ball to me at that instant.

The New Yorker

At that instant Nachman's wine glass was set before him.

The New Yorker

At that instant, holy wars are no longer an abstraction.

The New York Times

At that instant I felt the presence I had before of being watched.

University of California, Berkeley

At that instant, he later recounted, he saw Mr. Allende fall back on a couch.

The New York Times

At that instant, a shot rang out, and Mr. Polanco gasped for air, she said.

The New York Times

Something flew down from the sky at that instant, and, whatever it was, I accepted it.

The New Yorker

At that instant, if you leave anything on the floor, you know it's no longer yours.

Yale University

At that instant, he comes across as extremely intelligent, even appealing.

The New Yorker

Press the button, and the picture was captured at that instant.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At that instant, our Solar System first officially formed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "at that instant" with vivid verbs and imagery to maximize its impact on the reader. This can help to create a more memorable and engaging scene.

Common error

While effective, using "at that instant" too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "at that moment" or "immediately" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that instant" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of time. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating when an action or event occurs. It adds precision and immediacy to the description. This is shown in many examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at that instant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to pinpoint a specific moment in time. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and demonstrates its usage across various contexts, especially in news, academia, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's wise to avoid overuse and vary your phrasing to maintain writing fluidity. By using alternative expressions like "at that moment" or immediately then, you can enhance your writing style and maintain reader engagement. Ludwig's examples offer a good overview of the phrase's practical applications and demonstrate how it can effectively convey immediacy and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that moment

Replaces "instant" with "moment", offering a slightly more general sense of time.

at that very moment

Adds emphasis with "very", highlighting the precise timing.

in that second

Focuses on the brevity of the time frame.

immediately then

Uses "immediately then" to describe a direct sequence.

in that split second

Highlights the extreme brevity of the time frame, emphasizing speed.

at once

A shorter, more direct way to indicate immediate action.

right away

Informal alternative suggesting immediate action without delay.

at that juncture

A more formal way to describe a specific point in time, often in a narrative.

on the spot

Refers to an immediate reaction or decision made without prior planning.

upon that occurrence

Highly formal and somewhat archaic, suitable for very specific contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "at that instant" to pinpoint a specific moment when something happened or changed, for example, "At that instant, the train stopped and started to back up."

What's a more formal way to say "at that instant"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "at that juncture" or "upon that occurrence" depending on the specific context. However, "at that instant" is generally suitable for most writing situations.

Which is correct, "at that instant" or "in that instant"?

"At that instant" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "In that instant" is less frequent but may be acceptable in certain contexts. Ludwig's analysis supports the preference for "at that instant".

What can I say instead of "at that instant" to show immediacy?

To emphasize immediacy, use phrases like "immediately then", "at once", or "right away". These options highlight the lack of delay.