flicker of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flicker of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or fleeting moment in time, often evoking a sense of transience or nostalgia. Example: "In that flicker of time, everything changed, and I realized how precious each moment truly is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Before then, there is a tiny flicker of time in which we can bathe with our children, to splash, laugh and bond.

Independent

For just the briefest flicker of time, this annihilation creates a w-boson, the particle that mediates the so-called weak interaction force.

Huffington Post

So we did Charm Offensive and then an album called Flicker of Time and then an album called Gallery, which is sort of a compilation of the first three albums plus some new material.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On Leaving the City, a weird blend of distorted guitar, cimbalom and synthesiser drift around Newsom's harp and voice: it sounds exquisite, as does the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra shimmering and flickering on Time, as a Symptom.

The Guardian - Music

The problem is, I still feel a flicker of disappointment every time I see a Tesco delivery van on the winding streets instead of DCS Foyle's Wolseley.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The wait is a mere flicker of an instant in time compared to how long it took the dinosaurs to come back to earth, but then, when you've got a beloved franchise like "Jurassic Park," fans tend to get antsy.

Huffington Post

Liverpool were three ahead after 33 minutes and, as Manuel Pellegrini accepted afterwards, could conceivably have scored that many again before Sergio Agüero's goal, on his return from injury, briefly offered City a flicker of hope before half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

That, and from time to time an anxious flicker of recognition — the eagle in the mirror".

The New Yorker

The primary analysis of the cohort showed a clear trend of decreasing b-wave amplitude and increasing 30-Hz flicker peak time with the progression of retinopathy, and these associations remained statistically significant after age adjustment.

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

The best performing online investors, Marketocracy's M100, spend a lot of time sitting and staring at flickering computer screens.

Forbes

For patients in the 20 50-year 20 50-year(representing 82 % of pageents), the lower limit of normal singrouplash b-wave amplitude was 73.7 μV and the upperepresentingormal 30-Hz flicker peak time was 282% ms.

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flicker of time" when you want to emphasize how brief and quickly passing a moment is. It adds a touch of poetic and reflective quality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "flicker of time" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, its slightly poetic tone may be inappropriate for certain professional contexts. Opt for more direct alternatives like "brief period" or "short interval" when precision and formality are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flicker of time" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. According to Ludwig, it describes a brief, often fleeting, moment. Its function is to denote a short duration, emphasizing its transience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flicker of time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey the brevity and fleeting nature of a moment. Ludwig AI indicates that it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science, although overuse in formal writing should be avoided. While related phrases like "fleeting moment" and "brief instant" offer similar meanings, the specific choice depends on the desired emphasis. With a neutral register, "flicker of time" adds a touch of reflective depth to writing, highlighting the transient essence of experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fleeting moment

Emphasizes the briefness and transience of the moment.

Brief instant

Highlights the very short duration of time.

Quick glimpse

Focuses on the swift and partial view or experience.

Momentary flash

Suggests a sudden and short-lived appearance.

Split second

Indicates an extremely short interval of time.

Ephemeral period

Stresses the short-lived and vanishing nature of the time.

Transient phase

Highlights the temporary and changing state of the period.

Passing phase

Suggests a phase that quickly moves on.

Short spell

Implies a limited duration or period.

Brief interlude

Suggests a short pause or break within a larger timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "flicker of time" in a sentence?

You can use "flicker of time" to describe a very brief or fleeting moment. For example, "In that "fleeting moment", everything changed."

What are some alternatives to "flicker of time"?

Some alternatives to "flicker of time" include "brief instant", "quick glimpse", or ""fleeting moment"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "flicker of time" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "flicker of time" may be more suitable for creative or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider more direct alternatives such as "short period" or "brief interval".

What does "flicker of time" emphasize in a sentence?

"Flicker of time" emphasizes the brevity and transience of a moment, often adding a sense of nostalgia or reflection.