just momentarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just momentarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen or be true for a very short period of time. Example: "I will be away from my desk just momentarily, but I will return shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Ms. James got her wish, but just momentarily.

The New York Times

Coco doesn't feel exploited or aggrieved, or just momentarily wistful; she feels the sudden desire to put her reproductive organs into a lend-lease program.

The New York Times - Arts

E-mail messages to Mr. Francis at Mantra Entertainment get an automatic "I am out of the office" reply, as if he's just momentarily gone on business.

The New York Times

Here Leavitt's sense of observed reality seems to falter, just momentarily, and there is an odd consequence: an older, thinner kind of gay writing starts to show through his sophisticated manner.

The New York Times - Books

The slide of 1994 was a precursor of nothing — just momentarily higher interest rates.

Forbes

Presumably the day job has just become so fettered with fixes she just momentarily forgot what she could swear she knows to be true and what she couldn't.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Stand up too tall in the light, get too close, or slap the line down and the fish will spook, but only momentarily, just to let you know that you've been clumsy.

The New York Times - Sports

But only momentarily.

The New York Times

Of course, you can create such a gap just by momentarily blocking the beam with your hand.

Science Magazine

If you don't have more than a minute to pilgrimage for Easter or Passover this year, or you're just a momentarily grounded world traveler with a compromised attention span: here's an un-boring, super condensed backstory on one of the most culturally significant cities in human history... in 60 seconds.

Huffington Post

It is said that just-awareness momentarily appears when we are exhausted or falling asleep -- times when we completely let go.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just momentarily" to soften a request or instruction, making it sound less demanding. For example, "Could you hold this just momentarily?" sounds more polite than "Hold this now!"

Common error

Avoid using "just momentarily" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "briefly" or "for a second" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just momentarily" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It specifies the duration of an action or state, indicating that it lasts for a very short time. Examples in Ludwig show it describing pauses, absences, and temporary states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just momentarily" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase indicating a short duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and media, and useful for softening requests or describing fleeting actions. While versatile, avoiding overuse and utilizing synonyms like "briefly" or "for a second" can enhance writing. Remember that the phrase highlights brevity and temporariness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly

A single word adverb that conveys the same meaning of a short duration or action.

for a split second

Indicates an extremely short duration, often used to describe quick reactions.

for a second

Refers to a very short, indefinite duration, similar to 'just momentarily' but less formal.

for a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient and ephemeral nature of the occurrence.

for a brief instant

Emphasizes the quickness of the event, indicating something happening in a very short span.

in a blink of an eye

Highlights the speed and suddenness of an event, similar to 'just momentarily' in its brevity.

for a short period

Suggests a limited duration, though it can be slightly longer than 'just momentarily'.

for a little while

Implies a slightly longer duration than 'just momentarily', suggesting a temporary state.

in a jiffy

Informal way of saying 'very quickly' or 'in a short amount of time'.

for a tiny bit

Informal and emphasizes a minimal amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "just momentarily" in a sentence?

You can use "just momentarily" to indicate a very short period of time, as in "I'll be away from my desk "just momentarily", but I'll return soon".

What phrases can I use instead of "just momentarily"?

Alternatives include phrases like "briefly", "for a second", or "for a short time", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "just a moment" instead of "just momentarily"?

Yes, "just a moment" is a common and acceptable alternative. It's slightly less formal but conveys the same meaning of a short wait or duration.

What's the difference between "just momentarily" and "momentarily"?

"Momentarily" alone means for a short time, while ""just momentarily"" emphasizes the brevity and immediacy of the action or state. The addition of 'just' serves to further minimize the perceived duration.