in real-time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in real-time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe processes or events that occur simultaneously with their occurrence, often in contexts like technology, communication, or data processing. Example: "The software updates the data in real-time, allowing users to see changes as they happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It updates the position in real-time.

The Guardian

"It will run in real-time".

The Guardian

Yes, in real-time, to boot.

Forbes

store in real-time.

TechCrunch

All in real-time.

TechCrunch

Live and in real-time.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Not in real time.

Independent

In real time.

The New York Times

"Lolita" in real time.

The New Yorker

"They happen in real time".

The New York Times

The inControl alerts happen in real time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in real-time" to emphasize immediacy and simultaneity, especially when describing data processing, monitoring, or interactive systems.

Common error

Avoid using "in real-time" when describing events that are simply fast but not truly simultaneous with their cause. For example, prefer "quickly" or "rapidly" if there's a slight delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in real-time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate that an action occurs instantaneously or without delay. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in real-time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that highlights immediacy and simultaneity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, science, and technology. While versatile, it's best used when true simultaneity is implied, as Ludwig's usage examples show. Remember to use it to emphasize the lack of delay in your communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instantaneously

Focuses on the immediate nature of the action or process.

live

Implies immediacy and directness, often used in broadcasting or performance contexts.

immediately

Stresses the lack of delay between cause and effect.

simultaneously

Emphasizes that multiple things are happening at the same moment.

concurrently

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence of events or processes.

without delay

Highlights the speed at which something occurs.

at the same time

A more general way to indicate that events happen together.

as it happens

Conveys a sense of witnessing or participating in events unfold.

on the fly

Describes doing something spontaneously or without prior planning.

presently

Indicates something is happening or being done right now.

FAQs

What does "in real-time" mean?

The phrase "in real-time" means something happens instantly, or without noticeable delay. It is often used in the context of computing, data processing, and live events.

How can I use "in real-time" in a sentence?

You can use "in real-time" to describe processes that provide immediate feedback or updates. For example: "The stock prices are updated "instantaneously"" or "The system monitors the data "live"".

What can I say instead of "in real-time"?

You can use alternatives like "live", "instantaneously", or "immediately" depending on the specific context.

Is "in real-time" hyphenated?

Yes, "in real-time" is typically hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun, such as "real-time data". When used as an adverb, the hyphen is still generally used for clarity.