at the next moment

USAGE SUMMARY

'at the next moment' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happens very soon after something else. For example: At the next moment, the crowd erupted in cheers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I think that at one moment you're apt for one thing, and at the next moment you're apt for something else".

The New York Times - Arts

At one point, a whispered voice appeared to be off in the distance; at the next moment, it shifted to just inches behind the listener's ear.

The New York Times - Tech

But at the next moment, Europe saw the creative Bush, who can capitalize on his freshness to the world scene to force a rethinking of old approaches.

The New York Times

The original testing data of laser power and water flow temperature at one moment were utilized to calculate those at the next moment, and then the calculated temperature curve was compared with the measured one.

Optics & Laser Technology

Miss de Compiegne is tasteful enough to withhold much and leave the listener with enigmatic scraps of sound, but at the next moment she will flatten us with waves of raw electronic flatulence or melodramatic voices intoning undecipherable languages.

The New York Times - Arts

"As far as opportunism is concerned, there is nothing more opportunistic than saying in the autumn that you want to give all-party support to the efforts the government is making to take us out of a global financial crisis – and then at the next moment withdrawing all that support.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Seemingly indestructible, he had been felled by a freakish accident — one moment gliding carefree across an emerald lawn at twilight, the next moment utterly helpless.

The New York Times - Sports

While it's a triumph to have arrived at this moment, the next moment — in which we take action — is even more important.

Harvard Business Review

Try it out, at least for the next moment, and see what happens in your life.

Huffington Post

It is possible that even the best channel at this moment is less reliable than any other channels at the previous or the next moment.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"This wonderful but strange world attracted me at one moment, but the next moment I did not want to accept it".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the next moment" to create a sense of anticipation or sudden change in narratives. It's effective for highlighting pivotal shifts in a story or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "at the next moment" excessively in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise or nuanced transitional phrases to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the next moment" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event occurs. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates a point immediately following another event, creating a sense of immediacy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the next moment" is a versatile phrase used to denote a swift temporal transition. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing, according to Ludwig. While generally neutral in register, it is advisable to use more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for indicating something that happens very soon after something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately afterwards

Emphasizes the temporal proximity between two events.

the instant after

Highlights the immediate sequence of events.

shortly thereafter

Indicates a brief period of time passing.

right after that

More informal and direct in conveying sequence.

in the subsequent instant

More formal and emphasizes the brief duration of time.

directly following

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events with no delay.

the following second

Highlights a very precise moment after the first.

almost instantaneously

Focuses on the near-simultaneous nature of the events.

thereupon

Formal and somewhat archaic, indicating a consequence or immediate next step.

in the twinkling of an eye

Idiomatic and emphasizes the speed of the transition.

FAQs

How can I use "at the next moment" in a sentence?

Use "at the next moment" to indicate a sudden change or immediate consequence following an action or event. For instance, "He hesitated, then, "at the next moment", he made his decision".

What are some alternatives to "at the next moment"?

Consider using phrases like "immediately afterwards", "shortly thereafter", or "in the subsequent instant" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

Is "at the next moment" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "at the next moment" may sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Opt for alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "at the next moment" and "the next moment"?

"At the next moment" emphasizes the specific point in time when something occurs, whereas "the next moment" simply indicates the sequence of events without necessarily stressing the timing. Depending on your intended emphasis one phrase may be preferred over the other.