little second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little second" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to refer to a very brief moment in time, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "Just give me a little second to gather my thoughts before we continue."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was more, I'm going to let go for a little second of my own views.

The Guardian - Film

Any little second lost here or there and you arrive later on the Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

The New York Times - Sports

"My family used to move around as a whole, from my great-grandmama all the way to my little second cousins," Micalizzi told me.

The New Yorker

"Everybody feels a little second class versus the bank because they're getting cash," said Michael Peterson, an analyst for Pzena Investment Management, which owns 2.3 million shares of CIT.

The New York Times

Tchaikovsky's not so little second symphony, the "Little Russian", refers to Ukraine, once known by that name, and to the composer's use of three Ukrainian folk songs in the score.

The Guardian - Music

But the way things feel right now, if the superstars temporarily stall, I fully expect to see the bony little second baseman, Billy Martin, come skittering across the infield in a gale to snag a wayward pop-up.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

There is very little second-rate champagne in Fitzgerald.

The New Yorker

It is a pathetic little second-rate substitute for reality, a pitiable flight from life.

The New Yorker

"The little second-graders used to say, 'You two should get married,' " she said.

The New York Times

Having said thank you, I returned discreetly to the little second-hand edition.

The Guardian - Books

But here in Ordos, in north China's sparsely populated Inner Mongolia region, there is little second-guessing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little second", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a very short amount of time or a minor point. Otherwise, use more common alternatives like "brief moment" or "short while".

Common error

Avoid using "little second" in formal or academic writing. This phrase is generally considered informal and may not be appropriate for professional contexts. Instead, opt for more precise and formal alternatives, such as "brief period" or "short interval".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little second" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes a very short, often insignificant, amount of time. This is evident from Ludwig's examples where it's used to denote brief pauses or moments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little second" is an acceptable, though uncommon, way to refer to a very brief moment in time. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not a standard expression in written English and may sound informal. Its function is to indicate a minimal amount of time, often in conversational contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "brief moment" or "short interval" are more appropriate. The analysis shows that while "little second" appears in News & Media, and Science sources, it is used less frequently than its alternatives. Be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required when choosing to use the phrase "little second".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief moment

Replaces "little second" with a more standard and common expression for a short period of time.

short interval

Focuses on the temporal aspect, suggesting a small gap in time.

fleeting instant

Emphasizes the transience and brevity of the moment.

minor moment

Highlights the insignificance or lack of importance of the moment.

quick tick

Uses informal language to represent a very short period.

split second

Emphasizes how fast and instantaneous the time interval is.

small amount of time

Uses a more descriptive way of saying "little second", focusing on time.

brief duration

Highlights the shortness of something.

slight pause

Implies a short break or interruption.

tiny fraction of time

Underscores how short the time interval is, suggesting that time has been fragmented in minuscule parts.

FAQs

How can I use "little second" in a sentence?

You can use "little second" to refer to a very short period or a moment, as in "Just give me a "little second" to think about it."

What can I say instead of "little second"?

Alternatives include "brief moment", "short interval", or "fleeting instant" depending on the context.

Is "little second" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "little second" is less common than alternatives like "brief moment" and is often considered informal. Ludwig AI highlights that while the phrase is used, it's not standard in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "little second"?

"Little second" is best used in informal conversation or writing where a precise measurement of time is not critical. In formal settings, "brief moment" or "short period" are more appropriate.