in a instant

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a instant" is a correct part of a sentence in written English.
It is an alternate way of saying "in an instant", which means "immediately". Example Sentence: He made his decision in a instant, without hesitation.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

£19, Chanel, available nationwide 5 Nail Enamel in Tropical Temptation A favourite for summer toes, bright coral gives feet a make-over so they'll be flip-flop ready in a instant.

Independent

They could have crushed me in a instant," he stated.

Wikipedia

More than 81percentt of people age 65 and older still live in their own homes, yet their ability to remain independent, healthy and active can change in a instant.

Huffington Post

If you're nervous about your injection make sure you tell your nurse or doctor because they will calm you down and always take deep breaths, When getting it done look away, shut your eyes and count from 10 downwards and it will be over in a instant!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In an instant.

BBC

In an instant, everything changed.

The New York Times

In an instant, eyes widened.

The New York Times - Sports

They're gone in an instant".

Independent

Victory came and went in an instant.

The New York Times

Something killed these animals in an instant.

The Economist

He can wake up in an instant".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form "in an instant" instead of "in a instant".

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "an" before words beginning with a vowel sound. The correct form is "in an instant", not "in a instant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the speed or immediacy of an action. Although grammatically incorrect, as highlighted by Ludwig, the intent is to convey that something happens quickly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in a instant" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as an incorrect grammatical form. The correct phrasing is "in an instant". Despite its presence in news and general content, writers should use the grammatically correct alternative to maintain clarity and professionalism. The intention is to emphasize the immediacy of an action, which can be effectively conveyed using alternatives like "immediately" or "instantly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an instant

Corrects the grammatical error by adding the article "an" before "instant".

instantly

Adverb form emphasizing speed.

immediately

Highlights the lack of delay.

momentarily

Emphasizes the brief duration of the event.

at once

Suggests simultaneous action or occurrence.

rapidly

Emphasizes the high speed of the action.

swiftly

Implies quick and smooth action.

in a flash

Uses a vivid image to convey quickness.

in no time

Suggests a very short period.

in the blink of an eye

Idiomatic expression for extreme rapidity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "in a instant"?

The correct phrase is "in an instant". The article "an" should be used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Is "in a instant" grammatically correct?

No, "in a instant" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "in an instant".

What can I say instead of "in an instant"?

You can use alternatives such as "immediately", "instantly", or "at once".

What's the difference between "in a instant" and "in an instant"?

"In a instant" is grammatically incorrect due to the improper use of the article. The correct phrase is "in an instant", where "an" is used before the vowel sound of "instant".