sliver of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"sliver of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a very small amount of time. For example, "We had a sliver of time before the storm arrived, so we decided to take a quick walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

In one tiny sliver of time, the Yankees got old.

The New York Times - Sports

A sliver of time for other teams is an epoch for the Yankees, who define themselves by championships.

The New York Times - Sports

Here it's that sliver of time between the wars when cordial relationships were still possible among civilized people of all nations.

The New York Times - Books

Spending even a sliver of time with Mr. Fagan, who is talkative and easygoing, suggests that he too is taken with the notion of a more inclusive world.

The New York Times - Arts

"I stood there for an hour, waiting for someone who looked most resolute in getting this little sliver of time," he said.

The New York Times

The hour is late, but there is still a sliver of time to pass a serious energy bill out of this Congress.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

@annie_parker Wingham produced and presented the UK's longest running TV series about the internet before founding social enterprise Slivers-of-Time.

The Guardian

They go online at Slivers of Time and indicate when they are available.

The Guardian

Most importantly, with the remaining slivers of time, we've focused our sights on Aidan's interests and strengths.

The New York Times

It is at once the beauty of sports and its agony, the tiny slivers of time that change a game, a series, a season.

The New York Times

In the 1950s, as a young mother taking care of two small children, Munro wrote in the slivers of time between housekeeping and child-rearing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "sliver of time" with verbs that convey action or opportunity to highlight the significance of even brief moments.

Common error

Avoid using "sliver of time" when referring to durations that are objectively long (e.g. years, decades). The phrase is best suited for seconds, minutes or hours when set against a larger backdrop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sliver of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe the brevity of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sliver of time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a very short or limited duration. Ludwig AI indicates that it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. The phrase appears commonly in news and media, sports, and arts contexts, conveying a sense of brevity and often adding a touch of poetic imagery. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with the short duration it represents, avoiding its use for longer periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split second

Focuses on an extremely short duration, almost imperceptible.

brief moment

Focuses on the instantaneous nature of the duration.

fleeting instant

Highlights the quick and transient nature of the moment.

short period

A more general term emphasizing a limited duration.

small window

Implies a limited opportunity within a specific timeframe.

brief span

Emphasizes the limited duration of something existing or occurring.

quick interval

Emphasizes the brevity and separation between events.

momentary lapse

Suggests a brief interruption or pause in something.

passing phase

Highlights the transient nature of an event or situation.

a touch of time

Underlines an extremely short amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "sliver of time" in a sentence?

You can use "sliver of time" to describe a very short or limited duration, such as "In that "brief moment", everything changed" or "I only had a "short period" to finish the task".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "sliver of time"?

Similar phrases include ""brief moment"", "fleeting instant", "split second", and "small window", all conveying a sense of brevity.

Is "sliver of time" a formal or informal expression?

"Sliver of time" is generally considered a neutral expression and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to add a slightly more poetic tone to writing.

Can I use "sliver of time" to describe a long period?

No, "sliver of time" is specifically used to describe a very short duration. Using it for a long period would be grammatically incorrect.