the very second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the immediacy of an action or event occurring at a specific moment in time. Example: "I will call you the very second I arrive at the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Then, at the very second the ball touched my hands, there was an explosion of sound.

The New York Times - Sports

The Labor Department appears likely to get a new leader the very second hell freezes over.

The New York Times

"1798," he says proudly, the very second I mention the Wexford rebellion.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They have known that from the very second she was shot.

The Guardian

First, the short-term practical: the very second when your less-Skype-savvy colleagues are visible to you, tell them.

The New York Times

This production is transforming and uplifting, and Port Talbot's future starts the very second The Passion ends.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

'I now see why I failed to understand the very second-class people I had to deal with and how glad they must have been to get me out of the way,' he reflected.

The Guardian - Books

The very first date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The very first.

The Guardian

She attended the very first Kinkaid School.

The New York Times

Overheard at the very first Antheil concert.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very second" to emphasize the immediacy of an event. It adds a sense of urgency or precision to your writing. For example, "I knew I had to leave the very second I saw him."

Common error

Avoid using "the very second" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "the moment", "as soon as", or "immediately after" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it emphasizes immediate timing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very second" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to emphasize the immediacy of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, offering a sense of urgency and precision. While alternatives like "the moment" and "as soon as" exist, "the very second" provides a distinct emphasis on the timing of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the instant

Focuses on the immediate moment something happens.

the moment

Similar to "the very second" but slightly less emphatic.

as soon as

Indicates that something happens immediately after something else.

immediately after

Emphasizes the lack of delay between two events.

right when

Highlights the exact timing of an event.

the minute

Similar to "the very second" but perhaps slightly less formal.

directly after

Focuses on the sequential nature of events with no delay.

at that precise moment

Highlights the specific timing of an action.

upon

A more formal and succinct way of saying "immediately after".

on the instant

Emphasizes how immediately something happens.

FAQs

What does "the very second" mean?

"The very second" emphasizes the immediacy or precise timing of an event, meaning it happens right at that particular moment.

How can I use "the very second" in a sentence?

You can use "the very second" to indicate that something happens immediately after something else, such as, "I'll call you "as soon as" I land."

What are some alternatives to "the very second"?

Alternatives include "the instant", "the moment", or "immediately after", which all convey a similar sense of immediacy.

Is it grammatically correct to use "the very second"?

Yes, "the very second" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English to emphasize the timing of an event.