reflected for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reflected for a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief moment of contemplation or consideration about something. Example: "As she walked past the mirror, she reflected for a second on how much she had changed over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I reflected for a second and replied that if we added Sweden to all the productivity and employment performance comparisons, we would really have a picture of Sweden's fundamental economic performance as a country.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And the next day they went to the media and they were like," – she assumes the identity of an uptight Brit – "'Oh well, I don't know why she's so excited, because we haven't even finished this song or written a hook for it.' I mean, come on!" She reflects for a second.

The Guardian - Music

After reflecting for a second, he adds, "The period costumes will be just fabulous!" Check out the Now.

Huffington Post

Of course not!" But then he reflected for a couple of seconds, a worried look spread across his face and he added hesitantly: "Well, actually…maybe.

BBC

He reflected for a moment, then added, "The first idea is always the best one".

The New Yorker

When it comes to other Soviet monuments or mosaics, people usually have to reflect for a few seconds.

Vice

The world would greatly benefit if Trump could reflect for even a second this weekend about where such unbridled and unprincipled displays of power can lead.

The Washington Post

He paused, let his mind reflect for a few more seconds, smiled and said, "They were like the Yankees".

The New York Times - Sports

Reflect for a second on what this means: In this imagined future, we would all know with certainty that iOS could be breached.

TechCrunch

Reflect for a second on what this means: In this imagined future, we would all know with certainty that iOS could be breached.

TechCrunch

But it was a few months since Capes of the Yard (a feeble, feeble nickname, he reflected, for the thousandth embittered time) had been involved in one of these cases.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reflected for a second" to subtly convey a moment of thoughtfulness, especially when the surrounding text describes quick actions or decisions. This adds depth without disrupting the pace.

Common error

Avoid using "reflected for a second" too frequently in scenes requiring immediate action. Overuse can slow down the narrative and disrupt the flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflected for a second" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating a brief period of contemplation. It typically modifies a subject's action, showing a momentary pause for thought. Ludwig provides several examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reflected for a second" is a grammatically correct and usable expression denoting a short moment of consideration or thoughtfulness. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity. Although not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase is suitable for conveying depth without disrupting narrative pace, but overuse in fast-paced scenes should be avoided. Alternative phrases like "thought for a moment" or "paused briefly to consider" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused briefly to consider

Emphasizes the brief pause taken to think about something.

thought for a moment

A more direct and common way of expressing a short period of thinking.

considered briefly

Highlights the act of considering something quickly.

momentarily pondered

Uses a more formal word, 'pondered', to suggest thoughtful consideration.

gave it a second thought

Implies a re-evaluation or reconsideration.

briefly contemplated

Similar to 'pondered', but emphasizes a visual aspect of thinking.

stopped to think for a second

Highlights the action of stopping to initiate thought.

took a moment to reflect

Slightly more formal, emphasizing deeper thought.

hesitated for a moment to consider

Includes the element of hesitation before considering.

paused to mull over

Suggests a more internal and personal reflection.

FAQs

What does "reflected for a second" mean?

It means to have thought about something briefly, usually implying a moment of consideration or contemplation.

How can I use "reflected for a second" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone pausing to think about something, for example, "She reflected for a second before answering the question."

What can I say instead of "reflected for a second"?

You can use alternatives like "thought for a moment", "paused briefly to consider", or "considered briefly".

Is "reflected for a second" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral, fitting in most writing contexts. It is neither overly formal nor strictly informal.