for this second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for this second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a very brief moment in time, often in a context where something is happening quickly or needs immediate attention. Example: "Can you hold on for this second while I grab my notes?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not willing to wait for this second coming?

The New York Times

What evidence does Ms. Noonan present for this second allegation?

The New York Times

It has been worth waiting 10 years for this second part of the definitive critical biography.

The Guardian - Books

48 mins: High hopes for this second half for both sets of fans - and neutrals.

The Guardian - Sport

"More tension for this second beat," in a rising string passage.

The New York Times - Arts

Selection is severe, even for this second wine, with much of it sold simply as Pauillac.

The New York Times - Food

The relationship the pair struck up produced enough momentum for this second collaboration.

The Guardian - Film

It is not clear that the delegates see the need for this second task.

The Economist

Knight is clearly grateful for this second chance and has immersed himself in all things Red Raider and West Texas.

The New York Times - Sports

For anyone who missed it, here's Gabriel Tate's excellent on-location piece for this second season of the Returned.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So Mr. May brought the doctor back again, for this second meeting in his burnished wood party room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for this second" when you need to emphasize the immediacy or urgency of an action or situation. It is suitable when something needs to happen quickly or requires immediate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "for this second" when referring to longer durations or actions that extend beyond a very brief moment. Opt for phrases like "for a moment" or "for a short period" when the time frame is not literally a single second.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for this second" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration or timing of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to specify a very short interval. The Examples showcase its role in marking temporary states or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for this second" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the immediate or temporary nature of an action or state. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's considered grammatically correct and is frequently employed across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to use it when you truly mean a very short duration and avoid it for extended periods. Alternative phrases like "for a moment" or "just a second" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for this instant

Replaces "second" with "instant", emphasizing the immediacy and brevity of the time period.

for a split second

Emphasizes the extreme brevity of the time period, using "split second" for added impact.

for this moment

Substitutes "second" with "moment", broadening the timeframe slightly while maintaining a sense of present time.

for a brief moment

Replaces "this second" with a slightly longer but still short duration, "a brief moment".

just for now

Shifts the focus to a temporary duration, indicating a limited period of time.

for a heartbeat

Uses "heartbeat" as a metaphor for a very short time period.

for the time being

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation, suggesting a short-term arrangement.

momentarily

Expresses the action will happen for a short, unspecified duration.

for this short period

Highlights the brevity of the duration using "short period" instead of "second".

in the meantime

Suggests an intervening period, offering a more general sense of temporality.

FAQs

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

Use "for this second" to indicate something happening or needing attention in a very brief moment. For example, "Can you hold on "for this second" while I grab my notes?"

What can I say instead of "for this second"?

You can use alternatives like "for a moment", "for a brief moment", or "just a second" depending on the context.

Is "for this second" formal or informal?

"For this second" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in everyday conversation or writing where a sense of immediacy is needed. More formal situations might require a more precise term.

What's the difference between "for this second" and "in a second"?

"For this second" indicates something happening during a very short moment, while "in a second" suggests something will happen after a short delay. They refer to different points in time.