in a fleeting moment

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a fleeting moment" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a very brief moment of time, often with a feeling of sadness or nostalgia. For example, "In a fleeting moment, she realized that the time she had spent with her friends was the happiest of her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It all happens in a fleeting moment of connection between strangers, one of them holding an iPhone.

The New York Times

— Three weeks ago in a fleeting moment of bliss, Isiah Thomas handed the Knicks' offense to Jamal Crawford and effectively proclaimed the start of a new era.

The New York Times - Sports

This production's awareness of that divine right to choose, and of the possibility of eternity in a fleeting moment on the stage, makes "Saved or Destroyed" a benediction.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, you'll probably still feel like raising a glass of the expensive (stolen) Champagne the brothers share in a fleeting moment of domestic harmony.

The New York Times

In a fleeting moment of comedic sobriety, he thanked the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for "being one of the few places that uphold comedy for what it truly is, an art form".

The New York Times

Instead, caught in a fleeting moment, she turns her head over her shoulder, meeting the viewer's gaze with her eyes wide and lips parted as if about to speak.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But his time spent in the manger was a fleeting moment in first-century history.

Los Angeles Times

When the news broke that Peaches Geldof had been found dead in her home in Kent last month, there was a fleeting moment in which it seemed as if the whole world recoiled, and let out a gasp of horror.

Independent

In fact, for a fleeting moment, I wanted my predictable job title, paycheck, benefits and comfortable work environment back.

Huffington Post

The title story, which is also the last in the book, somberly describes a fleeting moment in the life of an American family on an Inverness-bound train — a moment that in retrospect will in fact be the happiest in its protagonist's life.

The New York Times - Books

The Cypriots won their independence in 1960, but it was a fleeting moment in a 10,000-year history.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a fleeting moment" to add a touch of poignancy or nostalgia when describing a brief occurrence. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the transient nature of beauty, emotion, or opportunity.

Common error

While expressive, "in a fleeting moment" can sound melodramatic in formal or technical contexts. Opt for more direct alternatives like "briefly" or "momentarily" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a fleeting moment" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. It provides temporal context, emphasizing the brevity of the action or state. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples of its use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a fleeting moment" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase that emphasizes the brief duration of an event or experience. While Ludwig AI validates its usage, it's best suited for contexts where highlighting transience is desired and might be too sentimental for very formal writing. Consider more direct alternatives like "briefly" or "momentarily" in professional settings. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, indicating its acceptance in quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a brief instant

Highlights the concise duration. It uses 'instant' to underline immediacy.

in an instant

Highlights the immediacy and lack of delay. Emphasizes speed.

in a split second

Emphasizes the extreme quickness of the event. It focuses on the speed.

in the blink of an eye

Implies something happened so quickly that it was barely perceptible. Focuses on the speed.

for a split second

Underlines the quickness and often unexpected nature of the event.

momentarily

Adverb describing something happening for a short period. Can be used to mean 'for a fleeting moment'.

just for a second

Emphasizes the very short duration of time.

in a heartbeat

Conveys that something happens almost instantaneously, but with an emotional tone.

in a flash

Suggests something happening very rapidly and suddenly.

in a trice

An older, slightly more formal way of saying very quickly or instantly.

FAQs

How can I use "in a fleeting moment" in a sentence?

This phrase can be used to describe an action or realization that happens very quickly. For example: "In a fleeting moment, she understood the depth of his sacrifice."

What can I say instead of "in a fleeting moment"?

You can use alternatives like "momentarily", "in a split second", or "in an instant" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "in a fleeting moment" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, it may sound too emotive for some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "briefly" or "momentarily" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "in a fleeting moment" and "for a brief instant"?

Both phrases describe a short duration, but "in a fleeting moment" often carries a stronger sense of transience or emotional significance, while "for a brief instant" is more neutral and focuses on the concise duration.