less than one sec

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than one sec" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a duration that is shorter than one second, often in informal communication or technical discussions. Example: "The response time of the system is less than one sec, which is impressive for real-time applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Previous studies that used very slow (2-min) injections of nicotine [39] or slow (5 sec or more) injections of nicotine [40] did not provide significant evidence for reinforcing effects of nicotine, whereas, nicotine had significant reinforcing effects when injection durations of less than one sec were used [14], [41].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even less than one second.

The New York Times - Sports

On this matter, Reid says less than one might like.

SEP

What happens is less than one might expect.

The New York Times

Less than one percent responded.

TechCrunch

Way less than one percent".

Huffington Post

Less than one portion per month.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

– I program less than one a year.

F1000Research

Less than one-tenth of students attend private schools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Normally, less than one-third of the pups would die.

Independent

Less than one-third of the labour force is unionized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical specifications or scientific measurements, use "less than one sec" for conciseness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the abbreviated "sec" in formal documents or academic papers. Instead, spell out "second" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than one sec" typically functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the duration of an action or the time frame within which something occurs, specifying that the duration is shorter than one second. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than one sec" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating a duration shorter than one second. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's crucial to consider the context. Formal writing benefits from spelling out "second", whereas technical or casual communication may accept "sec" for brevity. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, its primary function is to specify short durations, emphasizing speed or efficiency. Alternatives include phrases such as "under a second" or "within a second", each offering slightly nuanced ways to convey similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than one second

Spells out 'sec' as 'second' for a slightly more formal tone.

under a second

This alternative uses 'under' instead of 'less than' to convey the same meaning.

within a second

This suggests completion or occurrence inside the duration of one second.

shorter than a second

Replaces 'less than' with 'shorter than' for similar meaning emphasizing brevity.

fraction of a second

Implies a very small part of a second, focusing on the minuteness of the duration.

almost instantaneous

Emphasizes the speed, suggesting it's so quick it's practically immediate.

split second

Refers to a very brief moment, highlighting the rapidness.

nearly a second

Indicates that the time is close to but not exceeding one second.

a blink of an eye

Uses an idiomatic expression to emphasize how short the time is.

in a flash

Similar to 'a blink of an eye', it conveys a very short time span.

FAQs

How can I use "less than one sec" in a sentence?

You can use "less than one sec" to describe the duration of an action or event. For example, "The process completed in "under one second"."

What is a more formal alternative to "less than one sec"?

A more formal alternative would be "less than one second". This is suitable for academic and professional contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "less than one sec" in technical writing?

Yes, "less than one sec" is often acceptable in technical writing for brevity, especially when space is limited, such as in tables or figures. However, it's crucial to maintain consistency within the document.

What's the difference between "less than one sec" and "under one sec"?

The phrases "less than one sec" and "under one sec" are virtually interchangeable and have the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or style.