tenths of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenths of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing time measurements that are precise to one-tenth of a second, often in contexts like sports, science, or technology. Example: "The runner finished the race in 9.58 seconds, breaking the previous record by just a few tenths of a second."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Seven tenths of a second.

Harvard University

It means that their responses are in the order of tenths of a second.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Schumacher's lap times were usually only a few tenths of a second slower than Rosberg's.

The New York Times - Sports

The American quartet ran 40.82, knocking nearly three tenths of a second off the record.

Independent

Could those two extra tenths of a second have made the difference for Stoudemire?

The New York Times - Sports

The conclusion reached was that three tenths of a second was the minimum time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Two-tenths of a second is what that was.

The Washington Post

Three-tenths of a second remained on the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

Both finished within three-tenths of a second of Webb.

The New York Times - Sports

The "beep" was at intervals of three-tenths of a second.

The New York Times

This period of blindness lasts between two-tenths and eight-tenths of a second.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is crucial, especially in scientific or technical contexts, use "tenths of a second" to accurately convey time measurements. For example, "The chemical reaction occurred within a few tenths of a second".

Common error

Avoid using "tenths of a second" when a less precise measurement is sufficient. Overusing precise measurements in everyday conversation can sound overly technical or pedantic. Instead of saying "I'll be there in a few tenths of a second", simply say "I'll be right there" if the exact timing isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenths of a second" functions primarily as a noun phrase specifying a precise duration. It often serves as an adverbial modifier indicating how quickly something occurs or the degree of difference in time, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenths of a second" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify precise durations, typically in contexts where small time differences matter significantly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase emphasizing accuracy, often found in news, science, and academic fields. When writing, use "tenths of a second" to convey precision when measuring short time intervals. If exact precision isn't required, consider less technical terms. Be mindful of providing necessary precision without making the writing sound overly formal. Alternatives include "fraction of a second" or "milliseconds", depending on the specific context and level of detail needed. Remember the difference between "tenth of a second" and "tenths of a second": use the singular form when referring to a single instance and the plural form when referring to multiple instances or a range.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fraction of a second

Replaces "tenths" with a more general term indicating a small portion of a second.

split second

Implies an even shorter, more instantaneous duration.

milliseconds

Uses a more precise unit of time measurement, where 100 milliseconds equals one tenth of a second.

fleeting moment

Emphasizes the brevity and transience of the time period.

brief interval

Highlights the short length of the time span.

a blink of an eye

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme brevity.

a moment

A more general term for a short period of time, less precise than "tenths of a second".

a short time

A simple and direct way to indicate a brief duration.

small increment of time

Focuses on the incremental nature of the time difference.

brief period

Highlights the temporary nature of time.

FAQs

How do I use "tenths of a second" in a sentence?

Use "tenths of a second" to indicate precise measurements of time. For example, "The race was decided by mere "tenths of a second"." or "The computer processed the data in a few "tenths of a second"".

What are some alternatives to "tenths of a second"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fraction of a second", "split second", or be more precise and use "milliseconds".

Is it more appropriate to say "tenth of a second" or "tenths of a second"?

"Tenth of a second" refers to a single instance or specific measurement, while "tenths of a second" refers to multiple instances or a range of measurements. For example, "a tenth of a second" vs "several "tenths of a second"".

In what contexts is it important to specify "tenths of a second"?

Specifying "tenths of a second" is crucial in contexts where timing precision is essential, such as in sports timing, scientific experiments, high-speed data processing, and certain medical procedures. Otherwise, a less specific term like "moment" might be sufficient.