at this very second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at this very second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the immediacy of an action or situation occurring right now. Example: "I am, at this very second, trying to solve the problem you mentioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

At this very second, the great Cadbury chicken may be about to lay another mediocre batch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These are all people who are chatting at this very second and have been online the longest.

The New York Times - Tech

And at this very second I'm listening to random French conversation darting out of my speakers as the BetFair internet broadcast quite strangely just leaves us hanging there among the crowd staring at an empty pitch... oh, and now awful Europoop trance is blaring out of the stadium".

The Guardian - Sport

Hurricane Sandy, what may essentially be the biggest storm to hit the North Eastern seaboard in history, is barreling toward us, through the Atlantic, at this very second.

TechCrunch

Riff adds a reaction video with someone reacting to what you're seeing at this very second, as well as a comment column.

TechCrunch

Considering that the Galaxy line is one of Samsung's top-selling lines, including both the S series and Note series, this security hole is quite possibly in your pocket at this very second, so be safe out there.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Even with James Blake headlining up at the Park stage this very second it's difficult to cobble the icy, dislocated minimalist soul crews into a coherent Glasto-invading scene.

The Guardian - Music

That this imprint (including the second and third nucleotides of the glycine tRNA anticodon) has been retained through billions of years of evolution suggests Crick's 'frozen accident' hypothesis has validity for at least this very first step at the dawn of the genetic code.

Biology Direct

This news is breaking at the very second we're writing this post, so refresh the page for updates as they roll in.

TechCrunch

There's no need to succeed at the very first attempt at this.

The New York Times

Despite the fact that d-Confidence and farthest-first share many common instances at the very first iterations (60%%), this overlap drops fast getting close to 20 % after 11 queries.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at this very second" to emphasize the urgency or immediacy of an action or situation. It adds a dramatic or emphatic effect to your writing.

Common error

While effective, using "at this very second" too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at this very second" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the time of an action, emphasizing its immediacy and concurrence, as showcased in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Tech

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "at this very second" serves to emphasize the immediacy of an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it adds urgency and focus to the present moment. While effective, overuse should be avoided to prevent repetitive or melodramatic writing. Consider alternatives like "right now" or "at this moment" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right now

This is a more concise and direct way to express the same idea.

at this precise moment

Emphasizes the exactness and specificity of the time.

at this instant

Offers a slightly more formal and abrupt sense of immediacy.

at the present moment

A more formal and slightly less urgent alternative.

as we speak

Implies the action is ongoing and perhaps in progress.

in this very moment

Rephrases to include 'in' for slight variation in emphasis.

at this point in time

A more descriptive, less immediate alternative.

currently

A simple and direct term indicating present activity.

at the current time

Slightly more formal than 'currently'.

at this stage

Suggests a phase or step that is currently happening.

FAQs

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

Use "at this very second" to emphasize an action happening right now. For example, "The negotiations are ongoing, and "at this very second", the diplomats are discussing the key issues".

What phrases are similar to "at this very second"?

Similar phrases include "right now", "at this moment", or "as we speak". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "at this very second" formal or informal?

The phrase "at this very second" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of overuse, as it can sometimes sound slightly dramatic.

What's the difference between "at this moment" and "at this very second"?

While both phrases indicate the present time, "at this very second" emphasizes the immediacy and precision of the moment more strongly than "at this moment".