right this instant

USAGE SUMMARY

"right this instant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific moment. Example: "I need you to do this job right this instant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

However, my favourite moment is right now, right this instant.

The Guardian - Music

Best of all, there's no fee, no software, no signup or registration; you can dial it right this instant.

The New York Times - Tech

If the 2008 election could somehow be done all over — right this instant — Mr. Hancock said, Mr. Obama would lose by a far wider margin.

The New York Times

Or what really goes on inside the jukebox as you scroll up your playlist or search frantically for that one song you positively must hear right this instant?

The New York Times - Tech

She, it's clear, is not one to get worked up over anything and gazes calmly at Eric as if it doesn't matter whether death comes right this instant or sometime during the next sentence.

The Guardian - Film

"Have you ever thought," Gaddis writes in "The Recognitions," that "all the people you have met and all the people you will meet... are somewhere now right this instant being real?" With its diffuse collection of stories, "Men in Space" takes on Gaddis's challenge of keeping track of a vertiginous sequence of interlocking lives.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In fact, the population of the Netherlands is 16,730,632, while Kardashian's follower count, at least right at this instant, is a mere 15,437,516.

The New Yorker

Hence measures are to be taken right from this instant in order to conquer the power shortage problem by efficiently utilizing the available power.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

When he finally pulls out the stops, it's clear that he's trying to convince his largely skeptical congregation that they too can talk to God. "What would you pray for;right now, this instant;if for just one moment you let yourself have complete faith in God?" he asks.

Forbes

Also, nominations end on December 6th, so get those in for your favorite companies and people right this very instant!

TechCrunch

But let me preface all of this with one caveat: I would not buy a VR rig right now, today, this instant.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "right this instant" to emphasize a need for immediate action or a sense of urgency. It is suitable for situations where you want to convey that something must be done without any delay.

Common error

Avoid using "right this instant" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound too demanding or informal. Consider more neutral alternatives like "immediately" or "at once".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right this instant" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to emphasize the urgency and immediacy of an action. It serves to highlight that something needs to be done without any delay. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "right this instant" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that conveys a sense of urgency and immediacy. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. While generally informal to neutral in register, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Related phrases include "immediately" and "at once", though they may lack the same forceful emphasis. When using "right this instant", consider the context and avoid overuse in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this very second

This alternative is similar in urgency, specifying the present moment with a slightly stronger emphasis.

right away

This alternative is very similar but slightly less forceful and more colloquial.

immediately

This alternative is a single-word adverb conveying a direct and prompt action, lacking the emphatic tone.

instantly

This alternative focuses on the speed of the action, lacking the urgency and feeling of current time.

at once

This alternative is a more formal idiom, suggesting immediate action without delay.

asap

This alternative is an abbreviation (as soon as possible) which focuses on speed, but lacks the directness.

without delay

This alternative emphasizes the lack of postponement, more formal and less direct.

on the spot

This alternative refers to making an immediate decision or action at the location.

in a heartbeat

This alternative focuses on speed and willingness, though less literal.

forthwith

This alternative is an archaic and highly formal term indicating immediate action.

FAQs

How can I use "right this instant" in a sentence?

You can use "right this instant" to express a need for immediate action, such as, "I need you to complete this task "right this instant"!"

What phrases are similar to "right this instant"?

Similar phrases include "immediately", "at once", or "right away", all conveying a sense of immediacy.

Is "right this instant" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "right this instant" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "immediately" or "without delay".

What's the difference between "right this instant" and "immediately"?

"Right this instant" emphasizes urgency and the present moment, while "immediately" simply indicates that something should be done without delay. The first is more forceful.