precise moment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precise moment" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific point in time that can be identified accurately. For example, "The precise moment of the sun setting was beautifully captivating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I recall the precise moment.

The Washington Post

He remembered the precise moment he changed.

The New Yorker

At that precise moment, the doorbell rings.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In that precise moment, I decided to become a writer.

The New Yorker

Debate continued about the precise moment magnitude of the event.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At that precise moment, the club's patience ran out.

The Guardian - Sport

At that precise moment, their world became the mainstream.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. Redel remembers the precise moment when inspiration struck.

The New York Times

The housing market would collapse at this precise moment.

The Guardian - Film

I can't remember the precise moment CBeebies entered my life.

The Guardian

Organ transplants raised questions about the precise moment of death.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precise moment" when you want to emphasize the exact timing of an event or a decision, creating a sense of accuracy and significance for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "precise moment" excessively, especially in descriptive writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "exact instant" or "specific point in time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precise moment" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier to specify the exact timing of an event or action. Ludwig confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precise moment" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression, according to Ludwig, used to emphasize the accuracy and significance of a specific point in time. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While versatile, overusing "precise moment" can lead to redundancy. It is recommended to occasionally replace it with alternatives such as "exact instant" or "critical juncture" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exact instant

Replaces "moment" with "instant" for emphasis on immediacy and accuracy.

the instant when

Introduces a clause emphasizing the occurrence of an event at that exact moment.

very second

Emphasizes the brevity and exactness of the moment.

the very minute

Highlights immediacy, replacing "moment" with "minute" for a slightly different emphasis.

specific point in time

Uses more general terms to denote a particular time, potentially less dramatic.

fateful second

Highlights the significance and potential consequences of a specific moment.

precise timing

Focuses on the accuracy and appropriateness of when something occurs.

precise time

More straightforward and less emphatic than "precise moment".

critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

exact period

Broadens the scope to a specific duration rather than an isolated point.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "precise moment" in a sentence?

Use "precise moment" when you need to highlight the importance of exact timing. For example, "The success of the mission depended on the "precise moment" of launch".

What phrases can I use as alternatives to "precise moment"?

You can use alternatives like "exact instant", "specific point in time", or "critical juncture" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "precise moment" and "exact moment"?

While similar, "exact moment" emphasizes accuracy, whereas ""precise moment"" can also imply importance or critical timing.

When is it inappropriate to use "precise moment"?

Avoid using "precise moment" when describing something that doesn't require a specific or significant timing. In such cases, general terms like "time" or "period" might be more suitable.