some seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some seconds" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a vague amount of time that is longer than one second but not specified as a specific number. Example: "After some seconds of hesitation, she finally decided to accept the job offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then, some seconds later, another left to the heart.

The New York Times - Sports

But if I feel good I'll try to attack and gain some seconds," Rodríguez said.

The Guardian - Sport

He said neither Mr. Busch nor the officers moved for some seconds.

The New York Times

It took Brad some seconds to make it out — a pale shadow, the tint of smoke, through the intervening trees.

The New Yorker

It took Brad some seconds to make it out a pale shadow, the tint of smoke, through the intervening trees.

The New Yorker

Then Cecilia takes off most of her clothes, dives under the water and disappears for some seconds.

The Guardian - Film

From May 5 to 14, Kartell will mark down overstock items and some seconds by 50percentt.

The New York Times

They actively want to stay at the front, so they can get some seconds if there is a crash.

The Guardian - Sport

After some seconds of lesbian romping, one of the women tells Alex, "You are going to want to change those sheets".

The New York Times - Arts

Our noise for some seconds passed beyond excitement into a kind of immense open anguish, a wailing, a cry to be saved.

The New Yorker

I watched a small van nip through two consecutive lights some seconds after they turned red, leaving a view of the same yellow sticker disappearing into the distance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some seconds" when you want to indicate a short, unspecified duration of time without being precise. This is appropriate for general descriptions or narratives where exact timing isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "some seconds" in scientific or technical writing where precise measurements are required. Instead, provide specific time intervals or use terms like "approximately X seconds" if an exact value is not known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some seconds" functions as an adverbial modifier of time, indicating a short, unspecified duration. Ludwig shows its usage in describing the length of pauses, actions, or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "some seconds" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a short, unspecified duration of time. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts where precision is not required. While versatile, it's essential to avoid using it in technical or scientific contexts where exact measurements are necessary. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "a few seconds" or "a short time" for similar meanings, maintaining clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few seconds

Replaces "some" with "a few", indicating a small, indefinite number of seconds.

several seconds

Substitutes "some" with "several", implying more than two but still a short period.

a couple of seconds

Specifies an approximate number of seconds, making it slightly more precise than "some seconds".

a short time

Uses a broader term, "time", to describe a brief duration instead of specifically mentioning seconds.

a brief moment

Replaces the time unit with "moment", suggesting an even shorter duration.

a little while

Employs a more colloquial expression for a short period of time.

just a moment

Highlights the brevity of the time period, implying immediacy.

a handful of seconds

Uses a figurative expression, "handful", to describe a small quantity of seconds.

moments later

Shifts the focus to a point in time after the "some seconds" have passed, emphasizing the subsequent event.

a split second

Implies an extremely short duration, even shorter than "some seconds".

FAQs

How can I use "some seconds" in a sentence?

You can use "some seconds" to describe a short, indefinite period of time, for example, "She hesitated for "some seconds" before answering the question."

What's a good alternative to "some seconds"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a few seconds", "several seconds", or "a short time" as alternatives to "some seconds".

When is it appropriate to use "some seconds" instead of a specific time?

It's appropriate to use "some seconds" when the exact duration is not important or not known, and you want to convey a general sense of a brief time period. If precision is needed, specify the exact number of seconds.

Is "some seconds" formal or informal?

"Some seconds" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as shown by Ludwig.