fraction of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

"fraction of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe a very brief time span such as one in which a person might take to react quickly. For example, "He reacted in a fraction of a second, pushing his friend out of the way of the oncoming car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In that fraction of a second, I sound the abyss".

The New York Times - Books

For that fraction of a second, the camera can't focus.

The New York Times - Tech

All that in a fraction of a second.

The Economist

"Everything changes within a fraction of a second".

The New York Times

"In a fraction of a second I lost all sense of time and space.

The Guardian

The valves switch on or off in a fraction of a second.

The New York Times

If the gun is already brought to bear, the fraction of a second is even less".

The New Yorker

Afflalo stopped with him, but a fraction of a second late.

The New Yorker

And it all has to happen in a fraction of a second? A. It does.

The New York Times

"But for a fraction of a second I didn't know that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is that fraction-of-a-second difference in the way she reacts".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing reaction times or extremely rapid processes, use "fraction of a second" to highlight the immediacy and speed of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "fraction of a second" when describing events that unfold over longer periods. Opt for more appropriate timeframes to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraction of a second" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing extremely short time spans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fraction of a second" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an extremely short period. As Ludwig AI validates, it's used correctly across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. Its primary function is to emphasize the immediacy and rapidity of events, decisions, or actions. While similar terms like "split second" or "instant" can be used, "fraction of a second" conveys a more precise and often more impactful sense of brevity. When writing, it is critical to only use this phrase when it is logically relevant to the context of your writing, and to avoid overuse in contexts where a longer timeframe would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split second

Replaces "fraction" with "split", emphasizing the brevity of the time interval. It's slightly less formal.

instant

Indicates an extremely short period, close in meaning but less precise than "fraction of a second".

moment

Denotes a brief period, but can be slightly longer than "fraction of a second", making it a broader term.

blink of an eye

An idiomatic expression for a very short time, conveying a sense of speed and quickness.

heartbeat

A very brief moment, often used to describe the rapidity of an event.

fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transience and briefness of the moment.

trice

An archaic term meaning a very short time, adding a touch of old-fashioned flair.

in no time

Indicates something happening very quickly, though not necessarily as short as a "fraction of a second".

jiffy

Informal term denoting a very short amount of time.

the twinkling of an eye

An idiomatic phrase indicating something happens very quickly. It's very poetic and highlights brevity.

FAQs

How can I use "fraction of a second" in a sentence?

You can use "fraction of a second" to describe actions or events that occur extremely quickly. For example, "The race was decided in a "fraction of a second"".

What are some alternatives to "fraction of a second"?

Alternatives include "split second", "instant", or "moment", depending on the desired level of precision and formality.

Is it correct to say "a fraction of second" without the "of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "fraction of a second". Omitting the "of" would be grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "fraction of a second" and "instant"?

"Fraction of a second" implies a very precise and extremely short duration, while "instant" is a more general term for a very brief moment in time.