Mastering "At That Very Moment": A Simple Grammar Guide for English Learners

Have you ever wanted to describe a perfect, specific point in time in a story? The English phrase "at that very moment" is the perfect tool for the job. It adds drama and precision to your sentences. Understanding how to use adverbial phrases like this one is a key step toward improving your sentence structure and achieving fluency in English. This guide will explain everything you need to know about using "at that very moment" correctly and naturally.

Table of Contents

• What Does “At That Very Moment” Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “At That Very Moment”?
• Example Sentences with “At That Very Moment”
• When and How to Use “At That Very Moment”
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does “At That Very Moment” Mean?

"At that very moment" means exactly then or at that precise instant.

It is used to emphasize that two events happened at the same time. The word "very" adds extra emphasis, highlighting the exactness of the timing.

This phrase acts as a verb modifier, telling us when an action occurred with great specificity. It’s a powerful tool in storytelling to create suspense or show a surprising coincidence. Learning how to use it is great for your ESL writing tips collection.

More: Mastering 'As Soon As Possible': A Simple English Grammar Guide

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “At That Very Moment”?

This phrase is an adverbial phrase of time. It answers the question, "When?". It helps describe when an action takes place, just like adverbs such as "now" or "then," but with more detail and flair.

Let's look at its grammar rules and sentence structure:

• Preposition:at (indicates a specific point in time)
• Determiner:that (points to a specific moment already mentioned or understood)
• Adjective:very (emphasizes precision)
• Noun:moment (a brief period of time)

This phrase can be placed in different parts of a sentence:

• At the beginning: For emphasis or to set the scene. Remember to use a comma after the phrase.
  • At that very moment, the phone rang.
• At the end: This is a more common and natural position.
  • The phone rang at that very moment.

More: Mastering 'During His Vacation': A Simple Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with “At That Very Moment”

Here are a few sentence examples to show how this adverbial phrase is used in real life. Seeing it in context is excellent English grammar help.

• I was just about to leave for the airport when, at that very moment, my friend called to say the flight was canceled.
• The detective finally found the hidden clue. At that very moment, the main suspect walked into the room.

Here is a short dialogue:

• Person A: "Were you surprised when you won the award?"
• Person B: "I was completely shocked. I was thinking about my grocery list at that very moment."

More: Mastering 'In the Next Hour': A Simple Grammar Guide

When and How to Use “At That Very Moment”

This phrase is excellent for storytelling, both in writing and speaking. It creates a sense of drama or perfect timing. It’s more common in narrative writing than in casual conversation, but you can certainly use it to tell an exciting story to a friend.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error for ESL learners is using the wrong preposition. Always use "at" with "moment" when talking about a precise point in time. Avoid saying "in that very moment" or "on that very moment."

• Incorrect:In that very moment, I knew the answer.
• Correct:At that very moment, I knew the answer.

The word "moment" itself refers to a very short, indefinite period of time. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a moment is "a very short period of time". The phrase "at that very moment" makes this indefinite period extremely specific and impactful.

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, "at that very moment" is an adverbial phrase of time used to highlight an action happening at a precise instant. It adds emphasis and is a great tool for making your stories more engaging and improving your natural sentence use.

Now it's your turn to practice! Try to write your own sentence in the comments below using this phrase. For example: "I was looking for my keys and found them..."

Keep practicing with different adverbial phrases to improve your English grammar and sound more like a native speaker.