every instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey the idea of something happening continuously or at all times without interruption. Example: "She felt a sense of joy every instant she spent with her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This way I have it every instant.

The New Yorker

Every movement, every look — every instant — dies almost as soon as it is born.

The New Yorker

"Every instant you're adjusting, because every hundredth of a second is important".

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New Yorker

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

One of the Hollande pledges was:  "When I am President, I will ensure that my behaviour is exemplary every instant".

Independent

The idea of cultivating full awareness of every instant owed much to the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of antiquity.

The Guardian - Opinion

One essay on the site and in the book, "Don't Carpe Diem," takes issue with outsiders who insist every instant raising children is precious.

The New York Times - Books

There's no relief for the fighter in the relentless exposure of the ring, where every instant is a level of punishment that few mortals can bear.

The New Yorker

At every instant the psyche is in flux: "And like a newborn spirit did he pass/Through the green evening quiet in the sun," as Keats put it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

"Every instant" can add intensity to your writing when describing situations where constant awareness or adjustment is required, such as 'The race car driver was adjusting his speed every instant'.

Common error

Avoid using "every instant" when a simpler phrase like "always" or "constantly" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every instant" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, specifying when something occurs. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is used to emphasize the continuous nature of an event or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every instant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the continuous nature of an action or state, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase with a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, especially news, scientific and encyclopedic writing. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in simplistic contexts where alternatives like "always" or "constantly" would suffice. To enhance clarity and avoid redundancy, consider alternatives such as "each moment" or "at every moment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

each moment

Substitutes "every instant" with "each moment", highlighting individual moments in time.

at every moment

Adds "at" to specify occurrence during each moment.

constantly

Uses an adverb to express continuous action, lacking the temporal specificity of "every instant".

continuously

Similar to "constantly", but emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the action.

at all times

Focuses on universal occurrence rather than specific moments.

incessantly

Emphasizes the persistence of an action without stopping.

without exception

Highlights the lack of any instance where something does not occur.

all the while

Indicates simultaneous occurrence during a period of time.

perpetually

Implies a state of unending duration.

at every turn

Suggests frequent occurrence within a series of events or actions.

FAQs

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

"Every instant" can be used to emphasize continuous action or a state of being. For example, "She cherished "every moment" of the vacation" or "He was aware of the danger "at every moment"".

What are some alternatives to "every instant"?

Some alternatives to "every instant" include "every moment", "constantly", or "at all times". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "every instant" or "every moment"?

Both "every instant" and "every moment" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Every instant" might suggest a slightly more continuous or immediate sense, while "every moment" can refer to a broader span of time.

What's the difference between "every instant" and "constantly"?

"Every instant" emphasizes that something is happening at each specific point in time, whereas "constantly" highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the action or state. Thus, constantly refers to something that occurs regularly or repeatedly, not necessarily always at each specific moment.