instant
An instant is an extremely short period of time, often lasting only a second. It refers to a specific point in time or a very brief moment when something happens immediately.
Exemples
3 sur 5Wait just an instant, I need to grab my coat.
Wait just a moment, I need to grab my coat.
At that precise instant, the document was electronically timestamped.
At that exact moment, the document was electronically timestamped.
I'll be back in an instant, don't go anywhere!
I'll be back in a second, don't go anywhere!
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of 'Instant Noodles'—they are food you can eat in an 'instant' because they are ready so fast.
Quiz rapide
The car stopped in an ___ when the driver saw the red light.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : instant
Exemples
Wait just an instant, I need to grab my coat.
everydayWait just a moment, I need to grab my coat.
At that precise instant, the document was electronically timestamped.
formalAt that exact moment, the document was electronically timestamped.
I'll be back in an instant, don't go anywhere!
informalI'll be back in a second, don't go anywhere!
The data suggests the reaction occurs in a single instant.
academicThe data suggests the reaction occurs in a single moment.
The stock price changed the instant the merger was announced.
businessThe stock price changed the moment the merger was announced.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
in an instant
happening very rapidly
the instant that
as soon as
at this very instant
right now
Souvent confondu avec
An 'instance' is an example or occurrence of something, while an 'instant' is a point in time.
Notes d'usage
The noun 'instant' is frequently used in the prepositional phrase 'in an instant' to emphasize that something happens without delay. It is more emphatic and suggests a shorter duration than the word 'moment'.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often confuse 'instant' with 'instance'; remember that 'instant' is about time, whereas 'instance' is about examples. Also, ensure the use of the article 'an' before 'instant'.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'Instant Noodles'—they are food you can eat in an 'instant' because they are ready so fast.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Latin word 'instans', which means 'standing near' or 'present'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In modern Western culture, the term is heavily associated with 'instant gratification' and the speed of digital technology.
Quiz rapide
The car stopped in an ___ when the driver saw the red light.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : instant
Grammaire lie
Vocabulaire associé
Time is the measurement of minutes, hours, days, and years....
suddenA noun used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'all of a...
fastMoving or capable of moving at high speed. It can also descr...
quickThe sensitive skin under a fingernail or toenail. It can als...
immediateHappening or done right now without any delay. It also descr...
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thick
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