in a lightning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a lightning" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a mistaken form of "in a flash" or "like lightning," which convey the idea of something happening very quickly. Example: "He completed the task in a lightning, impressing everyone with his speed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

A decade later, he was killed in a lightning raid by Navy SEALs.

The New Yorker

The power in a lightning bolt is phenomenal.

The Guardian

Or will see you but in a lightning flash.

The New York Times - Books

In a lightning strike, technicians first cut off nearly all international traffic through those portals.

The New York Times - Tech

Purple sworls inside a tiny bowl are dark clouds in a lightning sky.

The New York Times

When these opposite charges meet, they interact explosively in a lightning strike.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

GM finished the factory in a lightning-fast 18 months, and it is a marvel.

The Economist

He can, still, throw in a lightning-fast burst down either flank.

The New York Times - Sports

Isis militants have overtaken towns across northern Iraq in a lightning-speed advance towards the capital of Baghdad.

Independent

And that was where she had died, in a lightning-quick fire caused by pyrotechnics that snuffed out 96 lives.

The New York Times

In his final workout four days before the race, he ran five furlongs in a lightning-fast 574/5 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something happening very fast, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "like lightning" or "in a flash" instead of "in a lightning".

Common error

Avoid using "in a lightning" to describe speed or suddenness. This phrase is not standard English. Prefer alternatives such as "like lightning" or "in a lightning-fast manner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a lightning" functions as a prepositional phrase, though it is grammatically incorrect. It's often intended to modify a verb, indicating the manner in which an action occurs, implying speed or suddenness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "in a lightning" appears frequently, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It's often used to describe something happening quickly or suddenly, akin to the speed of lightning. More appropriate alternatives include "like lightning" or "in a flash". Despite its common occurrence particularly in news and media, it's best to avoid "in a lightning" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like lightning

This alternative uses a simile to describe speed or suddenness, instead of a prepositional phrase with an article and noun.

with lightning speed

This emphasizes the speed aspect of something, using a prepositional phrase with a different structure.

in a flash

This uses a more common and idiomatic expression to convey the idea of something happening very quickly.

at lightning speed

Similar to "with lightning speed", this emphasizes velocity.

in the blink of an eye

This offers a similar sense of immediacy and speed, focusing on how quickly something occurs.

suddenly

This is a simple adverb that directly expresses the suddenness of an event.

instantaneously

This highlights the immediate nature of an action or event.

swiftly

This adverb implies quick and efficient movement or action.

rapidly

This adverb indicates a high rate of occurrence or change.

quickly

A general term for fast action or speed, which can be readily applied to various contexts.

FAQs

What does "in a lightning" mean?

The phrase "in a lightning" is typically intended to convey the idea of something happening very quickly or suddenly. However, it's not grammatically correct. Consider using alternatives such as "in a flash" or "like lightning".

Is it correct to say "in a lightning"?

No, "in a lightning" is not considered correct English. It's better to use phrases such as "with lightning speed" or "at lightning speed" instead.

What can I say instead of "in a lightning"?

You can use alternatives such as "in a flash", "like lightning", or "suddenly" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "in a lightning" and "like lightning"?

"In a lightning" is grammatically incorrect, while "like lightning" is a simile that correctly conveys the idea of something happening very quickly or suddenly. Always opt for "like lightning" in your writing.