the instant when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the instant when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific moment in time when something occurs or is about to occur. Example: "I will never forget the instant when I first saw the ocean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We could almost count off the footsteps to the instant when he would raise his head.

The New Yorker

Moqadam pinpoints the instant when Mohsen shrugs off his apathy and challenges the regime.

The New York Times - Books

She would be beautiful, in the instant when he pressed the shutter release.

The Guardian - Books

A violent death can do that, mark the instant when people suddenly notice the ground has shifted.

The New York Times - Books

A gorgeous new song, When, notes the instant when "a touch comes down on who it's meant to rest".

The Guardian - Music

From the instant when the couple realise that their relation is something stronger than mere friendship, their happiness is lost.

The Guardian - Film

It is something that people can say in the instant when they are racing through their mental files for some recollection of the person before them.

The New Yorker

No, what sets her off is the instant when the blond wig she's worn for five years to blend in with her neighbors flies off, revealing her alopecia.

The New York Times - Books

In the instant when those two were beaten again – by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's thunderous header – the notion of Pearce's England boys offering a fresh start was entirely deconstructed.

Independent

All I will say is that if you fused the instant when heartbreak occurs to the instant when one falls in love and shot that concoction straight into your brain stem you might have a sense of what it felt like for me to be back "home".

The New Yorker

While this tendency fades with repeated use, you wonder if your gaze will be elsewhere at the instant when Night Vision reveals trouble up the road.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the instant when" to highlight the immediate and often impactful nature of an event. It's more emphatic than simply saying "when".

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overusing "the instant when" in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "at the point when" or "the moment at which" might provide a more sophisticated tone depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the instant when" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying a particular point in time. It introduces a clause that describes when an event occurred. Ludwig provides numerous examples to support its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the instant when" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies a precise moment in time. According to Ludwig, its function is to introduce a clause describing when something happens, emphasizing the immediacy of the event. While Ludwig examples show it appearing frequently in "News & Media" and scientific contexts, it can also be found in encyclopedias and other writing, having a mostly neutral formality register. While grammatically impeccable, users must avoid overuse in formal contexts, and be aware of alternative wording if appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the moment that

Replaces 'instant' with 'moment', indicating a specific point in time, and 'when' with 'that', a common alternative conjunction.

the second that

Substitutes 'instant' with 'second', emphasizing a very brief duration.

the point at which

Replaces 'instant when' with a more formal phrase, 'point at which', denoting a specific time.

the time that

Uses the general term 'time' instead of 'instant', offering a broader reference to a specific occasion.

the occasion when

Replaces 'instant' with 'occasion', referring to a particular event or time.

the juncture at which

This offers a more formal and less common alternative to "the instant when", pointing to a crucial time.

the split second when

Adds 'split' to emphasize the very short duration of the moment.

the precise moment when

Adds 'precise' to stress the exactness of the timing.

the very second that

Emphasizes the immediacy and brevity of the moment.

at the moment that

Changes from noun phrase to prepositional phrase, rephrasing the sentence to focus on "the moment".

FAQs

How can I use "the instant when" in a sentence?

"The instant when" connects a specific point in time with an event. For example, "I'll never forget the instant when I met her."

What are some alternatives to "the instant when"?

Alternatives include "the moment when", "the second that", or "the time that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the instant that" instead of "the instant when"?

Yes, "the instant that" is also grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably with "the instant when". For example, "I knew it was wrong the instant that I heard it".

What is the difference between "the instant when" and "immediately after"?

"The instant when" refers to the precise moment something happens, while "immediately after" refers to the period directly following an event. They both indicate short succession but "the instant when" is more about simultaneity.