image of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "image of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief moment captured visually or conceptually, often in contexts related to photography or time perception. Example: "The photograph was an image of a second, perfectly capturing the joy of the moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Figure 9.25 is an HRC-S image of a second Capella observation (ObsID 1420, 30 ksec), showing positive order dispersion.

Harvard University

Two years later it obtained a spectacular image of a second asteroid, 243 Ida, revealing it to be a heavily cratered, elongated body about 52 km across (1 km is about 0.62 mi).

Encyclopedia Britannica

For months afterward officials pointed to evidence, from grooves purportedly dug into the ship's side to a mysterious sonar image of a second boat supposedly lying near the Kursk, to support the theory that the sailors were innocent victims of a collision.

The New York Times

When you hear about cuts to food stamps and picture whom this affects, add the image of a second world war veteran whose retirement benefits aren't quite enough, the children of a national guard soldier who lost his civilian job in the economic downturn, and a young military spouse with small kids who can't figure out how to pay the bills.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moon of Alabama's editor also saved an image of a second fake post, "Rebel Resistance Collapses in Key Suburbs," which appeared under the byline of Frederick Kempe, a former Wall Street Journal reporter who now leads the Atlantic Council, a Washington research institution.

The New York Times

Too bad, as we would've loved a better image of a second black hole, and the largest one, by angular size, in the Earth's sky.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When President Barack Obama was sworn in on Tuesday, he was surrounded by an extended clan that would have shocked past generations of Americans and instantly redrew the image of a first family for future ones.

The New York Times

The above image of a nineteenth-century hearth serves as the frontispiece for the Picayune Creole Cook Book.

Duke University

The Cerritos City Council voted in April 1996 to erect a statue of the former first lady, one of the few statues created in the image of a first lady.

Wikipedia

This image of a fourth traveller echoed in the accounts of Worsley and Crean was taken up by T. S. Eliot in his poem The Waste Land.

Wikipedia

Investigators have also obtained images of a second suspect attacking cars in a royal convoy in Regent Street on the same day.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "image of a second" when you want to emphasize the brevity and representational nature of a captured moment, whether literal (photographic) or conceptual.

Common error

Avoid using "image of a second" when describing prolonged events or situations. This phrase works best for capturing extremely brief instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "image of a second" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes a visual representation or impression captured within an extremely short duration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "image of a second" serves to encapsulate visual representations of moments that are incredibly brief and transient. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and science. Although not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent and conveys a clear meaning. When composing your content, use "image of a second" to emphasize the brevity and representational nature of an instance. Related phrases such as "snapshot of a moment" or "brief glimpse" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Make sure to avoid using it when describing prolonged periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snapshot of a moment

Replaces "image" with "snapshot" and "second" with "moment", emphasizing the fleeting nature.

brief glimpse

Uses "glimpse" to convey a quick, fleeting look, suitable when referring to visual impressions.

fleeting impression

Focuses on the transient nature of the sensory experience.

moment frozen in time

Emphasizes the static capture of something that is usually dynamic.

quick mental picture

Suggests an immediate and short-lived visualization in the mind.

instantaneous depiction

Highlights the immediacy and representation of something occurring in a very short time.

fraction of a second captured

Highlights the short time frame.

visual microsecond

Uses hyperbole to emphasize the extremely short duration of the visual event.

a split-second view

Indicates a very short or brief glimpse or view.

a moment's reflection

Shifts the focus to mental processes during a brief time window.

FAQs

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

You can use "image of a second" to describe a photograph, a memory, or a fleeting impression. For example, "The photograph captured the "image of a second", perfectly freezing the athlete's triumphant leap."

What phrases are similar to "image of a second"?

Similar phrases include "snapshot of a moment", "brief glimpse", or "fleeting impression". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "image of a second" or "moment of a second"?

"Image of a second" is generally preferred when you are talking about a visual representation, while "moment of a second" is grammatically incorrect. However, you could use "fraction of a second" or "split second" to indicate an extremely short duration.

Can "image of a second" be used in a scientific context?

Yes, especially when describing high-speed photography or data capture that freezes extremely short timeframes. For instance, in materials science, one could capture an "image of a second" during a rapid chemical reaction.