Mastering "at that exact moment": A Simple Grammar Guide

Have you ever wanted to describe something happening precisely when another event occurred? English offers many ways to pinpoint time, and one powerful adverbial phrase for this is "at that exact moment". This guide will help ESL learners like you understand its meaning, how it functions in sentence structure, and how to use it naturally to improve your fluency in English. Get ready to add precision to your descriptions!

Table of Contents

• What Does “at that exact moment” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “at that exact moment”?
• Example Sentences with “at that exact moment”
• When and How to Use “at that exact moment”
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does “at that exact moment” Mean?

“At that exact moment” means precisely at a specific point in time, without any delay or difference. It is used to emphasize that something happened simultaneously with, or immediately after, another mentioned event. This adverbial phrase adds a strong sense of precision and synchronicity to your sentences, modifying verbs by describing when an action took place. It’s a great way to describe when and where actions align perfectly.

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “at that exact moment”?

This is an adverbial phrase of time. It specifies when an action occurs. It helps to clarify the timing of events, making your sentences more descriptive and accurate.

Grammatical Structure: The phrase "at that exact moment" is composed of:

• Preposition: "at"
• Determiner/Demonstrative: "that" (pointing to a specific, previously mentioned time)
• Adjective: "exact" (emphasizing precision)
• Noun: "moment"

It functions as a unit, describing the verb in the sentence. You can think of it as a verb modifier that adds a precise time detail.

Position in Sentence: This adverbial phrase usually appears at the end of a sentence or clause. It can sometimes appear at the beginning for emphasis, followed by a comma. Learning these grammar rules will help your ESL writing tips.

Sample Sentence Patterns:

• Subject + Verb + [Adverbial Phrase]
  • She arrived at that exact moment.
• [Adverbial Phrase], Subject + Verb
  • At that exact moment, the lights went out.

Example Sentences with “at that exact moment”

Let’s look at some examples of how to use adverbial phrases like "at that exact moment" in natural sentences:

• The phone rang, and at that exact moment, she spilled her coffee.
• The door opened, and at that exact moment, the dog barked loudly.
• Dialogue Example 1:
  • Person A: Did you see him leave?
  • Person B: Yes, at that exact moment, I was looking out the window.
• Dialogue Example 2:
  • Person A: When did the music stop?
  • Person B: It stopped at that exact moment the power went off.

More: Mastering During the Night: Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

When and How to Use “at that exact moment”

Typical Use Cases: Use "at that exact moment" when you want to highlight the precise timing of an event. It is common in storytelling, reports, or simply when describing a sequence of events. It adds drama or clarity by pinpointing when something unexpected or important happened. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Using it correctly will enhance your natural sentence use.

Common Variations or Related Phrases:

• at that moment: Less emphasis on precision than "at that exact moment".
• at the very moment: Similar to "at that exact moment", often interchangeable.
• just then: A more informal way to say "at that moment".

Common Mistakes or Confusion:

• Omitting "that" or "exact": While "at the moment" or "at a moment" are valid, "at that exact moment" specifically refers to a previously indicated point in time with high precision. Don't use it generally without a specific past reference.
• Word Order: Always keep "at that exact moment" together. It acts as one unit, often placed at the end of a clause or sentence. Avoid splitting it.
• Overuse: Use this adverbial phrase when precision is truly needed; otherwise, simpler time expressions like "then" or "at that time" might suffice. According to Cambridge Dictionary, a "moment" is "a very short period of time," and combining it with "exact" and "that" truly pinpoints it.

More: Mastering During the Night A Grammar Guide for English Learners

Summary and Practice Tip

Summary: "At that exact moment" is a powerful adverbial phrase of time. It helps you describe precisely when an action happened, often in relation to another event. Remember its structure (at + that + exact + moment) and how it adds precision to your sentences. It's a great tool to modify verbs and enhance your storytelling, helping you improve your English grammar and overall fluency.

Practice Tip: To master "at that exact moment," try writing three sentences about something that happened unexpectedly in your day. In each sentence, use "at that exact moment" to describe when a key action occurred. Share your sentences in the comments below or with a study partner! For more help with adverbial phrases, check out our other grammar guides for English grammar help!