in an instant

USAGE SUMMARY

"in an instant" is correct and is used in written English.
It is used to talk about something happening quickly, suddenly, or unexpectedly. Example sentence: In an instant, the rain stopped and the sun came out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an instant.

BBC

They're gone in an instant".

Independent

In an instant, everything changed.

The New York Times

In an instant, eyes widened.

The New York Times - Sports

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

Everything in an instant is overturned.

The New Yorker

In an instant, the streets are deserted.

The New York Times

Then, in an instant, I felt calm.

The New York Times - Magazine

Months of training evaporated in an instant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in an instant" to emphasize the sudden and immediate nature of a change, event, or realization. This phrase effectively conveys a sense of abruptness and speed.

Common error

Avoid using "in an instant" when describing processes that, while quick, still involve a discernible duration. The phrase is most impactful when the event is truly instantaneous, not merely fast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an instant" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs. It provides information about the timing of an action, emphasizing its immediacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in an instant" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the suddenness and speed of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also found in academic and general writing. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to effectively convey immediacy, but avoid using it for events that have a discernible duration. Consider alternatives like "immediately" or "suddenly" for slightly different nuances. By understanding its function, purpose, register, and common errors, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "in an instant" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instantaneously

This alternative is a single adverb that means happening immediately, without any delay.

immediately

This alternative indicates something happens right away, with no intervening time.

at once

This alternative conveys the idea of something happening without any delay, immediately.

in a flash

This alternative uses a more figurative expression to emphasize the speed of the event.

in the blink of an eye

This alternative is an idiom that highlights how quickly something happens.

suddenly

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected nature of an event happening quickly.

all of a sudden

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected and abrupt nature of an event.

in a split second

This alternative stresses the extremely short duration of the event.

momentarily

This alternative specifies that something occurs very briefly or for a very short time.

rapidly

This alternative indicates a high speed or quick pace of occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "in an instant" in a sentence?

You can use "in an instant" to describe something that happens very quickly and suddenly. For example, "The rain stopped "in an instant", and the sun came out."

What are some alternatives to "in an instant"?

Some alternatives to "in an instant" include "immediately", "suddenly", or "in a flash", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "in an instant" formal or informal?

"In an instant" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness of its use depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

How does "in an instant" differ from "momentarily"?

"In an instant" emphasizes the speed and suddenness of an event, while "momentarily" suggests something happening briefly or for a very short duration. "In an instant" focuses on the change, whereas "momentarily" focuses on the time.