in a split second

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a split second" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate something happened very quickly. For example, "The car sped past me in a split second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The whole story came to me in a split second.

The Guardian - Books

"It happened in a split second," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

He added: "You have to decide in a split second.

The New York Times

But in a split second Tuesday, he lost his cool.

The New York Times - Sports

In a split second the screen belched again.

Independent

"It just happened in a split second," he said.

The New York Times

She was the one person who could make me really crazy in a split second, and make me relax in a split second.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's exhilarating, intoxicating and it goes by in a split second.

The Guardian

Both actors are also brilliant at assuming, in a split second, other characters.

The Guardian

I decided in a split second not to go uptrack but head for the inside.

The New York Times - Sports

I know that the red mist descends in a split second.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a split second" to emphasize the suddenness and speed of an event or decision, making your writing more vivid and impactful.

Common error

While effective in many situations, avoid overusing "in a split second" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or neutral term might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a split second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the speed at which an action occurs. Ludwig examples confirm its use to indicate suddenness and rapid transitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a split second" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something happening very quickly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is predominantly used in News & Media to add emphasis to the speed and suddenness of events. While versatile, it's best to consider the context, avoiding overuse in overly formal settings where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives such as "instantaneously" or "in an instant" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an instant

Slightly more formal, but similar in meaning to the original phrase.

in a flash

Suggests something happening suddenly and quickly.

in the blink of an eye

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the speed at which something occurs.

in no time

Indicates that something will happen very quickly.

in a heartbeat

Emphasizes the willingness to do something quickly and without hesitation.

instantaneously

Single word adverb meaning immediately or without any delay.

at once

Implies immediacy; something happens immediately.

right away

Similar to "at once", indicating immediate action.

momentarily

Implies something happens for a very short duration.

in a jiffy

Informal term for a very short amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "in a split second" in a sentence?

Use "in a split second" to describe something that happens extremely quickly, such as "The car appeared "in a split second" and then sped away".

What are some alternatives to "in a split second"?

You can use alternatives like "instantaneously", "in an instant", or "in the blink of an eye" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "in a split second" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "in a split second" might be too informal for academic or highly professional contexts. Consider using a more neutral alternative such as "immediately" or "instantaneously".

What does "in a split second" emphasize in a sentence?

"In a split second" emphasizes the suddenness and speed of an action or event, highlighting how quickly something occurred.