for about a microsecond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for about a microsecond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very brief duration of time, often in a humorous or exaggerated context. Example: "The light turned green, and I hesitated for about a microsecond before hitting the gas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Right now, qubits can be faithful for about a microsecond.

The New Yorker

But the researchers are proud of their experiment's computational stamina: Thanks in part to a microwave shield around the chip that protects the processor from radiation that can corrupt quantum calculations, the chip was able to compute for about a microsecond at a stretch, a relatively long time compared to typical quantum processors that have functioned for around a thousandth of that time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It took me about a microsecond to say yes.

The New York Times

Most importantly, absorption of blue light must produce radical pairs with lifetimes longer than about a microsecond.

Plosone

FALL BEHIND in the computer business for just a microsecond, and your business might disappear on you.

Forbes

Then ask yourself whether you could imagine your mother listening to this sentence for longer than a microsecond before she reaches for the ironing.

The Guardian

He waited for the slider a microsecond longer and then punched it the other way for a single over the second baseman's head.

The New York Times - Sports

He cuts away, holds for a microsecond, then delivers the bang and the boom.

The New Yorker

For a microsecond I saw this beatific, angelic creature and assumed it was my reflection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dr Gisin and his team have built a computer chip that can hold on to photons for a microsecond.

The Economist

After all, the Nasdaq doesn't have the option of going down — not even for a microsecond.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for about a microsecond" to vividly illustrate the extreme brevity of an event or action. This phrase adds emphasis and can make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "for about a microsecond" when a longer duration is more appropriate. Misusing this term can undermine your credibility. Always ensure accuracy when dealing with scientific or technical timeframes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for about a microsecond" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It specifies the duration of an action or state, indicating an extremely brief period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples from Ludwig illustrate how it qualifies the length of an event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for about a microsecond" serves to illustrate an extremely brief duration with surprising effectiveness. It's grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig, and finds common usage across various contexts including news, science, and general media. Ludwig examples emphasize its role in highlighting transient occurrences. When writing, leverage this phrase to vividly depict actions happening almost instantaneously. Just be mindful of the potential for misinterpreting its scientific precision in very formal settings. While alternatives exist, "for about a microsecond" offers a distinctive flair when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in approximately a microsecond

Replaces "for about" with "in approximately", maintaining the meaning with slightly more formal language.

for roughly a microsecond

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", indicating an approximation.

for close to a microsecond

Uses "close to" instead of "about", suggesting nearness to the duration.

for nearly a microsecond

Replaces "about" with "nearly", implying a slight underestimation.

lasting a microsecond or so

Emphasizes the duration with "lasting" and adds "or so" for slight vagueness.

in just a microsecond

Emphasizes the brevity with the addition of "just".

during a microsecond

Focuses on the action happening within that specific microsecond.

for a fleeting microsecond

Adds the adjective "fleeting" to highlight the transience of the duration.

in the space of a microsecond

Highlights the constraint of the timeframe using "in the space of".

over a microsecond's time

Rephrases to emphasize the temporal aspect with "over a microsecond's time".

FAQs

How can I use "for about a microsecond" in a sentence?

The phrase "for about a microsecond" describes an extremely short duration. For example, "The image flashed on the screen "for about a microsecond" before disappearing".

What are some alternatives to saying "for about a microsecond"?

Alternatives include "in a split second", "momentarily", or "in an instant". These phrases all convey the idea of something happening very quickly.

Is it appropriate to use "for about a microsecond" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for about a microsecond" might be perceived as informal depending on the context. In formal writing, consider using more precise language like "in 1 × 10⁻⁶ seconds" if accuracy is crucial, or a more general term like "briefly".

What's the difference between "for about a microsecond" and "for a millisecond"?

A microsecond is one-thousandth of a millisecond. Therefore, "for a millisecond" describes a duration 1,000 times longer than ""for about a microsecond"". Using the correct unit is crucial for accuracy.