nearly instantaneously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly instantaneously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs almost immediately, with very little delay. Example: "The system responded nearly instantaneously to the user's command, providing the information they needed without any noticeable lag."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The databases are compact and user-requested products are produced and delivered nearly instantaneously.

Journal of Hydrology

And powerful new computing systems can store and make sense of it nearly instantaneously.

The Economist

The computer started more quickly and applications seemed to open nearly instantaneously.

The New York Times - Tech

The technique goes far beyond conventional methods by creating objects that are smoother and more complex, and printed nearly instantaneously.

University of California, Berkeley

For all war has become as indivisibly global, and as nearly instantaneously so, as contemporary television coverage.

The New Yorker

And he wanted these changes accomplished before the end of this decade — by Army standards, nearly instantaneously.

The New Yorker

Improbable has developed techniques that make it possible to share large amounts of information between multiple servers nearly instantaneously.

MIT Technology Review

Computer-communications networks transport information representing everything from letters and photographs to bank transactions and educational lectures cheaply and nearly instantaneously.

Cornell University

Ozonation of algae caused a substantial increase in the concentration of DOC and AOC, notably nearly instantaneously upon exposure to ozone.

Water Research

"Bitcoin … can allow the transfer of funds nearly instantaneously and costs less than traditional means," said Josiah Mugambi, executive director of Nairobi's iHub.

The Guardian

Rather than have any hope of rescue, these men died nearly instantaneously when their vessels imploded from the crushing sea pressures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the speed of technological processes or reactions, "nearly instantaneously" can effectively communicate the near absence of delay. Use it when precision isn't critical, but conveying a sense of immediacy is important.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly instantaneously" when describing events where even a minor delay has significant consequences. For example, in financial transactions, specifying the exact processing time is more appropriate than saying "nearly instantaneously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly instantaneously" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs and adverbs to specify the manner in which an action occurs. It indicates that an action happens almost immediately or with very little delay, enhancing the description of the action's speed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

47%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly instantaneously" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that effectively conveys the idea of an action happening almost immediately. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly common in science, news, and academic contexts, highlighting its versatility. When using "nearly instantaneously", remember to consider the desired level of precision and avoid using it when even minor delays are significant. Alternatives like "almost instantly" or "virtually immediately" can provide nuanced variations to suit your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost instantly

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", emphasizing the immediacy of the action with a slightly different adverb.

almost immediately

Simple substitution of "nearly" with "almost", making it a straightforward synonym.

virtually immediately

Uses "virtually" to highlight that the event happens so fast it's as good as instantaneous.

practically instantaneously

Emphasizes the action occurs so close to being instantaneous as to make no practical difference.

almost at once

Uses a simpler structure to convey the rapid occurrence of an event.

in the blink of an eye

Figurative language denoting extreme speed and quickness.

in a split second

Similar to "in the blink of an eye", this phrase highlights the brief time frame.

in short order

Suggests that something happens quickly and efficiently, without delay.

swiftly

A single adverb that captures the sense of speed and promptness.

rapidly

Another single-word alternative denoting speed and lack of delay.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly instantaneously" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly instantaneously" to describe actions or events that happen almost immediately. For example: "The data was processed "almost instantly"", or "The response was "practically instantaneously"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "nearly instantaneously"?

Alternatives include "almost immediately", "virtually instantaneously", or "in a split second". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "nearly instantaneously" or "instantaneously"?

"Instantaneously" implies that something happens without any delay. "Nearly instantaneously" suggests only a very slight delay. Use "nearly instantaneously" if there is a technically measurable delay, but it's negligible for practical purposes.

In what situations is "nearly instantaneously" most appropriate?

It's appropriate when describing processes or reactions where the speed is a key factor, but absolute precision isn't required. This is common in technological descriptions, scientific observations, and general explanations where immediacy is emphasized.