at that very second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at that very second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the exact moment something happens, often in storytelling or descriptive writing. Example: "At that very second, the lights went out, plunging the room into darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In a passage that reflects this book's stubborn stylistic awkwardness, she frees her imagination, "sprinkling the map with an army of my brothers who might at that very second be sticking his thumb into an Indian roadway or sleeping soundly in a faraway neighborhood or maybe even, I thought with a jittery nervousness, marching determinedly toward home".

The New York Times - Books

It remains to be seen whether targeting ads based on people's self-expressed interests and demographics will result in better response rates than contextual ads like AdSense or search ads based on the specific intent of what people are looking for at that very second.

TechCrunch

And just at that very second the fashion writer inside the theater patron wakes up and looks at his empty notepad, Jones Lisa Loveentersrstagege left – pen and pad in hand – to save the day.

Los Angeles Times

If you simply must request a song, it better be within the scope of what I'm playing at that very second AND it better be such an insane song that it'll make me go, "Oh shit, yeah, why didn't I think of that?" True fact: That's only happened to me once out of hundreds and hundreds of requests.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Another over-the-top, whatever-came-to-his-mind-at-that-very-second remark?

The New York Times - Sports

I remember that even at that very first visit to their offices, he invited me to have dinner in his home in Orlando, Soweto.

The Guardian

Dougherty remembers that he could already see the roots of a Trick 'r Treat cult at that very first screening, at the very end of a nonstop 24 hour program.

Vice

"We landed at the very second that another Air France Concorde was taking off, turning in front of Manhattan.

The New York Times

One-piece suits are great because sometimes it can feel silly to put conscious effort into mixing and matching clothes, especially once you consider that you could be thinking about other things like astrophysics or all of the genocides that are happening at the very second you are squinting at a pair of belts.

Vice

But I was disappointed that at the very first press conference of the Dutch presidency, it was specifically stressed that unanimity would still be required on matters of fiscal policy.

EU Parlament

If there was any chance that a hacker had access to my credit card — even encrypted, as they mention the information was — Sony should have said that at the very first moment they knew.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at that very second" to heighten the drama or emphasize the importance of a specific moment in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "at that very second" too frequently in your writing; it can lose its impact. Use it sparingly to highlight truly significant moments. Consider alternative phrases like "immediately" or "instantly" for less critical junctures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that very second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the exact time something occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to emphasize a particular moment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at that very second" is an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the precise timing of an event. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and serves to highlight simultaneity. While versatile, it's best used sparingly to maximize its impact, especially in news reports and descriptive narratives. Alternatives like "at that precise moment" or "immediately" may suit different contexts. Keep in mind that overusing it may decrease its effectiveness, and according to Ludwig's analysis, its presence is limited to few contexts like News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that precise moment

Emphasizes accuracy in timing, similar to the original phrase but uses "precise" for added exactness.

at that exact instant

Conveys a sense of immediacy and precision, like "at that very second".

in that very moment

Focuses on the importance of the specific moment, akin to "at that very second".

immediately thereafter

Indicates something happening directly after a specific point in time.

instantaneously

Highlights the immediate nature of an event occurring without delay.

right then and there

Emphasizes the immediate and direct action taken at a particular time.

on the spot

Implies an immediate reaction or decision made without hesitation.

at once

Indicates that something happens without any delay.

in a heartbeat

Suggests something happening very quickly, almost instantaneously.

without delay

Focuses on the absence of any waiting time between events.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "at that very second" in a sentence?

Use "at that very second" to emphasize a crucial turning point or a moment of high intensity in your narrative. For instance, "At that very second, the hero realized the truth."

What are some alternatives to "at that very second"?

You can use alternatives such as "at that precise moment", "in that instant", or "immediately" to convey a similar sense of immediacy.

Is there a difference between "at that very second" and "at that moment"?

"At that very second" emphasizes the precise timing and immediacy of an event, whereas "at that moment" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply the same level of exactness.

When is it appropriate to use "at that very second" in formal writing?

While "at that very second" can be used in various contexts, it's best suited for descriptive or narrative sections where emphasizing the precise timing adds to the impact. In highly formal or scientific writing, more neutral alternatives might be preferred.