one sixth of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one sixth of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing time intervals, particularly in contexts like science, sports, or technology where precise measurements are important. Example: "The sprinter completed the race in just under ten seconds, with a time of one sixth of a second separating him from the second-place runner."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"For all the things we do in education, this one-tenth-of-a-second shot is getting unbelievable attention from the world".

The New York Times - Sports

Why didn't we enter the intersection one thousandth of a second sooner, and die instead of die laughing?

The New Yorker

In other words, if you have a 100 mm lens keep the speed to above one hundredth of a second.

The Guardian

"Everything counts," Cavic said, "but again, with one hundredth of a second it's something you can't show".

The New York Times

Molecular simulations are now done as a series of tiny intervals that may be as short as a femtosecond, one billionth of one millionth of a second, and may last no longer than a microsecond, or one millionth of a second.

The New York Times - Science

An optimal flake size is around 0.6 μm with average response time about one tenth of a second.

Nanoscale Research Letters

About one tenth of a second later, a grind was performed.

Vice

It is measured in seconds using a stopwatch, to one hundredth of a second.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"I had one one-hundredth of a second to make a decision on what I was going to do.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, our perception of reality lags behind reality by about one one-hundredth of a second.

The New York Times

Also in Las Vegas this weekend, Antron Brown edged Clay Millican in the Top Fuel final and Shane Gray nipped V. Gaines by one one-thousandth of a second in the Pro Stock final.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, use "one sixth of a second" in technical contexts like physics, engineering, or sports analysis. For more general writing, consider using "approximately 167 milliseconds" or "roughly 0.167 seconds".

Common error

Avoid using "one sixth of a second" interchangeably with significantly longer or shorter durations. It represents a specific, relatively brief moment, and imprecise substitution can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one sixth of a second" functions as a noun phrase describing a specific duration of time. It's used to quantify brief intervals, often in scientific, technical, or descriptive contexts. Lacking examples in Ludwig, we can understand this via definition.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one sixth of a second" is a noun phrase designating a specific, brief duration. While Ludwig does not offer examples for this exact phrase, its grammatical function and purpose are clear: to provide a measurable time frame. The phrase has a neutral register and is appropriate for discussions requiring some precision. In the absence of examples, the common context usage patterns are evenly distributed across Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business. For situations needing alternatives, phrases like "approximately 167 milliseconds" or "nearly a sixth of a second" can substitute effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly a sixth of a second

Indicates the duration is just shy of being exactly one sixth of a second.

approximately 167 milliseconds

Expresses the same duration using a different unit of time measurement.

roughly one sixth of a second

Adds a degree of imprecision to the duration, suggesting it's an approximate value.

around 0.167 seconds

Uses a decimal representation to convey a close approximation of the duration.

in about 167 ms

Uses milliseconds and shortens the syntax.

a fraction above a tenth of a second

Describes the duration qualitatively, indicating it's slightly longer than a tenth of a second.

just over a fifteenth of a second

Relates the duration to another fraction of a second, providing a different point of reference.

a short burst of time

Refers to the time using different words, making it more generic.

a brief moment

Uses more casual language to describe a quick unit of time.

a split second

Expresses the idea of a time quantity using similar words.

FAQs

How can I use "one sixth of a second" in a sentence?

You can use "one sixth of a second" to describe events that occur very quickly. For example: "The camera shutter speed was set to "one sixth of a second" to capture the motion."

What can I say instead of "one sixth of a second"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately 167 milliseconds", "around 0.167 seconds", or "nearly a sixth of a second" depending on the level of precision required.

Is it better to say "one sixth of a second" or "0.167 seconds"?

Both "one sixth of a second" and "0.167 seconds" are correct, but the best choice depends on the context. "0.167 seconds" may be clearer in technical writing, while "one sixth of a second" is acceptable in more general contexts.

What is the relationship between "one sixth of a second" and a millisecond?

There are approximately 167 milliseconds in "one sixth of a second". A millisecond is one thousandth of a second.