for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean that something happened or existed briefly or momentarily. For example: "I hesitated for a second, unsure of what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not for a second.

The New York Times

For a second.

The New Yorker

"Stop for a second".

The New Yorker

She thought for a second.

The New Yorker

Jeff thought for a second.

The New York Times

Play anthropologist for a second.

The New York Times

She blushes for a second.

Independent

He thought for a second.

The New York Times - Sports

But only for a second.

The New York Times

She pauses for a second.

Independent

Run for a second term.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a second" to describe actions or thoughts that occur very quickly, adding a sense of immediacy to your writing. For instance, "She hesitated for a second before answering the question."

Common error

Avoid using "for a second" repeatedly in a single paragraph, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "momentarily", "briefly", or "for an instant" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a second" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. It specifies that something occurred briefly or momentarily, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a second" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that denotes a very short duration. According to Ludwig, it is correct and suitable for various writing contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific articles. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "momentarily" or "briefly" for variety. Ludwig's examples showcase its consistent application in describing fleeting actions or thoughts, making it a valuable tool for expressing brevity and immediacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a moment

This is the closest synonym, substituting "second" with "moment" to indicate a short time.

for a split second

Stresses the very short duration, almost imperceptible.

for an instant

Replaces "second" with "instant", highlighting the immediacy and brevity of the occurrence.

momentarily

This single-word adverb directly conveys the idea of something happening very briefly.

in an instant

Focuses on the immediate nature of an event, similar to "for an instant".

briefly

This adverb emphasizes the short duration of an action or state.

in the blink of an eye

Provides a vivid, idiomatic way to describe something happening quickly.

in a flash

Emphasizes the speed and suddenness of an action.

for a short time

Explains the duration explicitly, using a more descriptive phrase.

just for a bit

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate a short period.

FAQs

How can I use "for a second" in a sentence?

You can use "for a second" to indicate a very short period of time. For example, "I thought about it "for a second" before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "for a second"?

Alternatives include "momentarily", "briefly", or "for a moment", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "just for a second"?

Yes, saying "just "for a second"" is grammatically correct and adds a slight emphasis on the brevity of the time period.

What is the difference between "for a second" and "in a second"?

"For a second" refers to something that happened or lasted briefly, while "in a second" implies something will happen very soon. For instance, "I paused "for a second"" versus "I'll be there "in a second"".