just for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just for a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to pause or wait briefly. Example: "Can you hold on just for a second while I grab my notes?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Let's pause it there just for a second.

Yale University

We're going to pause it here just for a second.

Yale University

Charlie saw his face flinch, just for a second.

The Economist

He diverts his pinpoint focus just for a second.

The New York Times - Magazine

But put aside Trump's ideas just for a second.

The New Yorker

It's very tempting to relax, just for a second.

The New York Times

Just for a second, it really was there.

The New York Times

He sits down on a bench, just for a second.

The Guardian - Books

I'm going to take a dip, just for a second.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just pause for a second".

Independent

Let me just vent for a second.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just for a second" to politely request a brief pause or interruption, ensuring clarity and conciseness in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "just for a second" excessively in close succession, as it can make your speech or writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your language to maintain engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just for a second" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, clause, or sentence to indicate the brief duration of an action or state. Ludwig's examples show this phrase being used to request short pauses or to describe events that occur quickly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just for a second" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a very short period of time, functioning primarily as an adverbial phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common in the English language. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to informal register. While it can be used in various contexts, it's best to avoid overuse to maintain impact and clarity. Alternatives like "for a moment" or "briefly" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a brief moment

Emphasizes the brevity and fleeting nature of the moment.

for a short time

Highlights the limited duration, focusing on the time aspect.

for a split second

Conveys an even shorter duration, almost instantaneous.

in a flash

Implies a very quick and sudden occurrence.

momentarily

Uses an adverb to indicate a temporary action or state.

for an instant

Stresses the immediacy and briefness of the event.

for a little while

Indicates a slightly longer, but still limited, period.

briefly

Uses an adverb to describe the short duration of an action.

for a heartbeat

Equates the duration to the span of a single heartbeat, very short.

for a fleeting moment

Highlights how the moment passes quickly and is easily missed.

FAQs

How can I use "just for a second" in a sentence?

You can use "just for a second" to ask someone to wait briefly, like in "Hold on "just for a second", I need to grab my keys" or to indicate a very short duration of an event, such as "Just for a second, I thought I saw a ghost".

What can I say instead of "just for a second"?

You can use alternatives like "for a moment", "for a brief time", or "momentarily" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only for a second" instead of "just for a second"?

Yes, "only for a second" is a valid alternative. Both phrases convey the idea of something happening very briefly. While semantically similar, "just" often carries a slightly more casual tone than "only".

What's the difference between "just for a second" and "just for a moment"?

The phrases ""just for a second"" and "just for a moment" are nearly interchangeable. "Moment" might imply a slightly longer duration than "second", but in most contexts, the difference is negligible.