At the moment or At a moment

Hello everyone.

I’ve searched " moment " in this forum. ( it came up with a thousand of pages…)
and it gave me a sort of direction. ( “moment” wasn’t standing alone…)
But I would like to know that do you use " at moment" instead of " at the moment" ?
If I skipped “the” to the moment… Is it incorrect to say " at moment" ?
I am getting a feeling that " at a moment" at least I should say…

Could anyone help please ?

Thank you.

“at the moment” is a set expression meaning “at the present time”, “now”.

“at a moment” is not a set expression. However, these words can exist together in the right sentence context, as in “at a moment in time” or “at a moment of danger”.

“at moment” is normally incorrect

Thank you very much for correcting me.
I understood that I can’t change the set expression.

and I am very sorry for that I doubled posting…
This page went weird when I posted this.

I appreciate for your great help.
Thank you. :slight_smile:

You might use “IN a moment” if you’re responding to a request while you’re busy doing something else, and not at good spot for interrupting it. And “in the moment” which is like “at the moment” only it’s referring to some moment other than “now”.

“At this moment” and '“at that moment” are somewhat equivalent to “at the moment” and “in the moment”.

Hello Steve

Thank you very much for another tips!!

I was thinking when I can use “in a moment”… and
I assumed that “in a moment” is used by busy mum. :smiley:

I just wonder, could it be used in written ?
I just get a feeling of “in a moment” is more lively.

and I think " in the moment" is more used in past sentence?
Because it’s not referring to " now " means it must be in past or in future…
“moment” could it be used for a future sentence???

I am sorry for asking you a lot… but
If it’s possible, could you give me an answer please ?

English is very fascinated me.

Thank you.

I just wonder, could it be used in written ?
I just get a feeling of “in a moment” is more lively.

It doesn’t usually make sense in the written language, because the minute will be over before you could print what you’ve written and deliver it. And if you need to stall someone for a minute, you are too busy to write it down.

and I think " in the moment" is more used in past sentence?
Because it’s not referring to " now " means it must be in past or in future…
“moment” could it be used for a future sentence???

Think of the Cialis ads on TV. They are saying that you can take Cialis plenty early, so that when you’re in the mood, you can do something about it. With Viagra, you need to stop, take a pill, then wait a while for it to work. Cialis is going to work in the moment, while Viagra is a real bummer.

English is very fascinated me.

They say that there’s a Chinese curse, “May you live an interesting life.” I’m of an age where I don’t like “fascinating” things. I’d like things that “just work” instead of making me double-clutch and shift gears every 2 seconds.