moment

Everyday

1. A moment is a very short time. «Wait a moment» means wait a little. tree →
2. A moment is also one exact point in time: «at that moment». tree →
3. An important time can be called a moment: a big moment, a proud moment. tree →

In the lessons

a word of the story for a short time; «at the moment» means now; «at that moment» marks a point in the story; rarely a number; phrases «just a moment», «in a moment» (soon), «for the moment», «the moment that» (as soon as)

Examples

• At that moment, Ben had 6 apples. tree →
• Wait a moment while I count. tree →
• At the moment, there are 20 birds on the tree. tree →
• I'll be there in a moment. tree →
• Winning the race was her proudest moment. tree →
• The moment the bell rang, everyone ran outside. tree →
• Just a moment, I'm on the phone. tree →
• For a moment, nobody spoke. tree →
• At that moment my dishes disappeared!" tree →

Note

Carries no number. «At that moment» marks which state of the story you look at. No operation clue. «At the moment» = now; «in a moment» = soon. Trap: do not confuse moment with «minute» as a unit; a moment has no fixed length.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: "In a moment" shows how quickly God could end the rebels at the time of Korah's revolt. Moses and Aaron fall on their faces to plead for the people. The psalms and prophets also use it for sudden ruin, for God's constant watching, and for a brief time of anger before great compassion. In the primary lessons: a word of the story for a short time; «at the moment» means now; «at that moment» marks a point in the story; rarely a number; phrases «just a moment», «in a moment» (soon), «for the moment», «the moment that» (as soon as)

Examples

• 'Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.' (Torah NUM.16.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.' And they fell upon their faces. (Torah NUM.16.45, JPS 1917) tree →
• How are they become a desolation in a moment! (Writings PSA.73.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And that Thou shouldest remember him every morning, and try him every moment? (Writings JOB.7.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great compassion will I gather thee. (Prophets ISA.54.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Carries no number. «At that moment» marks which state of the story you look at. No operation clue. «At the moment» = now; «in a moment» = soon. Trap: do not confuse moment with «minute» as a unit; a moment has no fixed length.