exact instant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exact instant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in time with precision. Example: "At the exact instant the clock struck midnight, the fireworks began to light up the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"With my cursor, I can determine the exact instant where the viewer reacted".

The New Yorker

Something there is in humans that wants to make sure you're doing something busying at the exact instant of hearing unwelcome news — as though if your hands are full you'll just rumble right on through the whole thing, unfazed.

The New Yorker

His plan was foiled because at the exact instant the dummy fell overboard a second class passenger, Hermann Roebling, jumped overboard to kill himself and the witnesses were distracted.

The New Yorker

"Fools of Fortune" is the kind of movie in which someone in Ireland wakes up in a fearful fright at the exact instant that a murder is taking place in Liverpool.

The New York Times

"He'd e-mail or call me to tell me how much he loved it, and I'd always ask him what page he was on, because I wanted to be able to pinpoint the exact instant when he decided I was too much of a freak to keep dating".

The New York Times - Style

It appeals to me, the thought of knowing that at a certain exact instant -- as measured by one of the nation's official time labs -- the temperature is just so and the humidity is just such and the barometric pressure is just that and rising.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The exact instants of equinoxes or solstices are the times when the apparent ecliptic longitude (including the effects of aberration and nutation) of the Sun is 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°.

Wikipedia

Alert synchronicity fans got a charge at 11 07 E.D.T. last night, when the Texas Rangers notched the final out in their fifth-game, 5 1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in St . Petersburgat the exact same instant that the rescue capsule delivered the first Chilean miner to the surface after his sixty-nine-day entombment.

The New Yorker

The time-zero is the exact time instant at which the transmitting antenna starts emitting the first elementary impulse of M-sequence (so-called chip).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For example, you can take panned shots of a moving subject at the exact same instant with different degrees of background motion blur.

TechCrunch

"It's the only view we have like this where everything is at the exact same instant in time, even though the local times are different".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events with critical timing, use "exact instant" to highlight the precision and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The experiment required the measurement to be taken at the "exact instant" of the chemical reaction."

Common error

Avoid using "exact instant" in casual conversation where a general time frame is sufficient. Using it in such contexts can sound overly formal or pedantic. Instead, opt for phrases like "right when" or "just as".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exact instant" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a particular point in time with high precision. As seen in Ludwig, it modifies a noun, specifying the timing of an event or action. It emphasizes accuracy and a specific moment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exact instant" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, employed to denote a highly specific moment in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves to emphasize precision and is most appropriately used in contexts where accurate timing is critical, such as in scientific, technical, or formal writing. While less common in casual conversation, understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication. Related alternatives such as "precise moment" or "specific time" offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations. Mastering this phrase involves recognizing its appropriate contexts and using it judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal or pedantic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precise moment

Replaces "exact" with "precise", offering a slightly more formal tone.

specific time

Uses a more general term "time" instead of "instant", broadening the scope slightly.

very second

Emphasizes the brevity of the moment using "second".

precise timing

Focuses on the accuracy of the timing, rather than the moment itself.

accurate moment

Similar to "precise moment", but may imply a measurement or calculation.

particular point in time

Expands the phrase to be more descriptive, emphasizing the specificity.

certain moment

Indicates a specific but perhaps not necessarily precisely measured moment.

very moment

Emphasizes the immediacy of the moment.

dead on time

An idiomatic expression that emphasizes punctuality and precision.

the split second

Highlights the brevity and precision of the moment, often used in contexts requiring quick reactions.

FAQs

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

Use "exact instant" to specify a precise moment in time when something occurred or needs to occur. For example: "The timer went off at the "exact instant" I added the solution".

What phrases are similar to "exact instant"?

Alternatives include "precise moment", "specific time", or "very second". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of precision you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "exact exact instant"?

Yes, using "exact" twice in a row is redundant. The phrase "exact instant" already implies precision, so adding another "exact" does not add any value and makes the sentence awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "exact instant" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "exact instant" in writing when you need to emphasize the precision and specificity of a particular moment in time, such as in scientific reports, legal documents, or technical manuals.