20 minutes in advance

USAGE SUMMARY

'20 minutes in advance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a time before a specific event. For example, "Please arrive at the meeting 20 minutes in advance so we can start on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Give me an alarm 20 minutes in advance.

The New York Times - Tech

After having ice packs taped to each leg, he walked for most of the second half of the race, crossing the finish line 20 minutes in advance of his target time of six hours.

Independent

Taking a shower meant remembering to switch on the water heater at least 20 minutes in advance and then facing a unit inside the shower that selected water force and temperature; all this had to be done before even trying to wash the morning cobwebs off.

The New York Times - Travel

Dattch is one of the first and only mobile dating services that caters exclusively to women, just in case there are folks out there who would prefer to book a date more than 20 minutes in advance.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It can shoot a reminder to your cellphone 30 minutes in advance.

The New York Times - Tech

Make ahead: The chai-infused sweet vermouth needs to be done at least 30 minutes in advance.

The Washington Post

A few Western newsmen were alerted to the suicide by anonymous telephone calls 30 minutes in advance.

The New York Times

A tornado warning was issued 23 minutes in advance, then upgraded to an extremely rare and desperate "tornado emergency" 10 minutes later.

The Washington Post

A North Korean statement broadcast over the Pyongyang radio announcing the release only 49 minutes in advance— said some passengers had chosen to stay in the North.

The New York Times

Israel could bomb houses from the air without warning, but it has military personnel contact – by phone no less – the residents 10 minutes in advance of an attack to alert them that their house is about to be destroyed.

The Guardian - Opinion

A few hours later a near-capacity crowd of about 1,000 started queuing up more than 30 minutes in advance for a series of five-minute talks known as the "indie soapbox".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling tasks or meetings, use "20 minutes in advance" to allocate buffer time for preparation or unexpected delays. This promotes better time management and reduces stress.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "20 minutes in advance" is universally suitable for all tasks. Always assess the actual preparation time needed for each specific situation to ensure adequate readiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "20 minutes in advance" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying when an action should occur relative to a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts, from setting alarms to preparing food.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "20 minutes in advance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to specify that an action should occur 20 minutes before a specific event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, indicating its versatility. To ensure effective communication, remember to use this phrase to emphasize preparedness and punctuality. It's crucial to assess the actual preparation time required for specific tasks, as the "20 minutes" timeframe might not always be universally suitable. Related phrases, such as "20 minutes beforehand" or "20 minutes ahead of time", offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

20 minutes beforehand

Replaces "in advance" with "beforehand", maintaining the meaning with a single adverb.

20 minutes ahead of time

Substitutes "in advance" with "ahead of time", emphasizing the temporal aspect.

at least 20 minutes before

Adds "at least" to specify a minimum timeframe.

20 minutes prior

Uses a more formal term "prior" in place of "in advance."

20 minutes earlier

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the time difference without explicitly mentioning preparation.

20 minutes previously

Replaces "in advance" with "previously", indicating an action taken before.

20 minutes sooner

Emphasizes the earlier timing of an event or action.

with 20 minutes to spare

Highlights the extra time available before an event, shifting the focus to the remaining time.

20 minutes in anticipation

Replaces "in advance" with "in anticipation", focusing on expecting something

make sure to give it 20 minutes

Changes the structure to an imperative form emphasizing the time needed for something to take effect.

FAQs

How can I use "20 minutes in advance" in a sentence?

You can say, "Please submit your reports 20 minutes in advance of the deadline" or "The chef starts preparing the sauce 20 minutes in advance".

What's a less formal way to say "20 minutes in advance"?

You could say "20 minutes beforehand" or "20 minutes ahead of time" for a similar meaning in a more casual setting.

Is it more common to say "20 minutes in advance" or "20 minutes beforehand"?

Both are used, but "20 minutes in advance" might be slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

Can I use "20 minutes in advance" for things other than time?

While primarily used for time, you can extend its use to indicate preparation, like "The team reviewed the data 20 minutes in advance of the presentation".