the very second that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very second that" 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 knew I had to act the very second that I saw the opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But not at the very second that notification pops up on your screen, there's not.

Vice

"We landed at the very second that another Air France Concorde was taking off, turning in front of Manhattan.

The New York Times

Personally, I will be happy to rally around this idea the very second that the White House announces there is a large pool of job opportunities for unemployed 60-year-olds that are going begging.

The New York Times

Airtime on each stage is auctioned off in 15 minute chunks, and the auction runs until the very second that slot of content is scheduled to begin streaming on the stage.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That Trump's is the very first — that his personal history is now being mined, greedily and hastily, for cash — also seems befitting.

The New Yorker

Some history: Obama promised to enact such a tax during the campaign, and this promise was one of the very first that he made.

Huffington Post

Andrew Sarris of The New York Observer wrote that this particular Bond film is "the very first that I would seriously consider placing on my own yearly 10-best list.

Wikipedia

Dr. Tziolas said, "That was the very first study that proved it's possible with knowledge we have now to travel to another star".

The New York Times - Science

Our results show that, from the very first load that enters the nest, food present within the colony acts as negative feedback to entering food.

Plosone

What was the very first thing that occurred to you?

The Guardian - Film

The very first person that comes to mind is my brother.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very second that" to emphasize the immediacy of an action or event, ensuring it stands out in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the very second that" repeatedly in a short span. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very second that" functions as a conjunction, linking two clauses to indicate that one event occurs immediately after another. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction emphasizes immediacy. The phrase introduces a dependent clause specifying the exact moment an action or event takes place.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very second that" serves as a conjunction phrase that strongly emphasizes the immediate succession of events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its purpose is to highlight timing with clarity. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternatives include "as soon as" and "the instant that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the instant that

Emphasizes the quickness and immediacy of the action.

the moment that

Similar in meaning, but slightly less emphatic.

the minute that

Similar to "the very second that", but implies a slightly longer duration.

as soon as

Offers a more general sense of immediacy without the same degree of emphasis.

directly when

Highlights the simultaneity and direct connection between events.

right when

A more informal way to express the same idea.

at the point that

More formal, focusing on a specific point in time when something occurs.

immediately after

Focuses on the time following the event, rather than the exact moment.

upon

A formal alternative, indicating something happens directly after something else.

on the dot

Emphasizes precision and exact timing, not necessarily immediacy.

FAQs

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

Use "the very second that" to indicate something happens immediately after another event. For example: "I knew I had to act "the very second that" I saw the opportunity".

What are some alternatives to "the very second that"?

You can use alternatives such as "as soon as", "the instant that", or "the moment that" to express similar immediacy.

Is it more appropriate to use "the very second that" or "as soon as"?

"The very second that" emphasizes immediate action more strongly than "as soon as", making it suitable when you want to highlight the quick reaction or simultaneity of events.

What is the difference between "the very second that" and "immediately"?

"The very second that" connects two events happening almost simultaneously, whereas "immediately" (without the "that" clause) refers to acting without delay.