a bare minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bare minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a very short amount of time, often implying that something will happen or has happened quickly. Example: "I only need a bare minute to finish this task before we can move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He exists for a bare minute.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In Doctor Who, it took a peckish Pompeiian a bare two minutes to demand said dormouse.

The Guardian - Books

It takes a bare three minutes to walk through, across fallen leaves, broken branchlets, clumps of tangled roots and still-sprouting red berries.

The New York Times

This meant that the final judging session lasted a bare 10 minutes, after which I had to sit discussing the existence (or non-existence) of God with AC Grayling, a subject on which both of us hold strong views.

The Guardian - Books

He does not manipulate his pictures on a computer and swears the colors are true to the sites, if only for a bare two minutes as the light falls off the turning world.

The New York Times - Arts

Far Away lasts a bare 50 minutes, but Godwin's production makes it feel like a wake-up slap to the face, as we sleepwalk towards a future in which governments have played on terror to make us fear ourselves and in which resource wars set country against country.

The Guardian

Twenty-eight players and thirteen pitchers required four hours and forty-five minutos to achieve closure, which arrived bare minutes into October at my house, after three separate inquiring visits from the bedroom by my fox terrier, Andy.

The New Yorker

Publicists, wary of prying questions, have become skilled at compressing conversations with reporters to a bare minimum of minutes.

The New York Times - Food

Keep it at a bare simmer for 30 minutes, then strain.

The New York Times

The work is based on Ravenhill's 2009 monologue of the same name, which he performed alone on a bare stage for 20 minutes.

The Guardian

After more than an hour in the Ping-Pong queue of Manhattan's parking violations court, bouncing from Window 21 to Window 11 back to Window 21 again, he had won entry to the hearing room, where an administrative law judge sat behind a bare L-shaped desk, minutes from issuing a decision that could make life a lot harder for Mr. Kamara.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases if you want to convey a slightly different nuance. For instance, "a fleeting moment" might better suit a more poetic or reflective context.

Common error

Avoid using "a bare minute" in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too casual for contexts requiring precise or elevated language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bare minute" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "minute". It denotes a minimal or very short duration of time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bare minute" is used to indicate a very short amount of time. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. While it appears mostly in news and media contexts, it's not overly common, making it suitable for situations where emphasizing brevity is key. Consider the context's formality when choosing between "a bare minute" and alternatives like "a fleeting moment" or "a brief instant". Using it effectively means understanding its subtle emphasis on how little time is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transient nature of the time period.

a split second

Highlights how quickly the moment passes.

a brief instant

Highlights the instantaneous quality of the time.

an instant

A single, undefined point in time.

a mere second

Stresses the insignificance of the time duration.

a tiny fraction of time

Emphasizes the very small proportion of time involved.

just a tick

Uses an informal term to indicate a very short time.

a short while

Implies a slightly longer but still brief duration.

a heartbeat

Uses a biological measure to represent a very short time.

a quick flash

Suggests the time is as short as a sudden burst of light.

FAQs

How can I use "a bare minute" in a sentence?

You can use "a bare minute" to indicate a very short amount of time needed for something. For example: "I only need "a bare minute" to finish this task before we can move on."

What can I say instead of "a bare minute"?

You can use alternatives like "a fleeting moment", "a brief instant", or "just a tick" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a bare minute" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bare minute" might sound too casual for very formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "a brief period" or "a short time" in such cases.

What is the difference between "a bare minute" and "a few minutes"?

"A bare minute" emphasizes the extreme shortness of the time, suggesting it's almost instantaneous. "A few minutes" implies a slightly longer, but still brief, duration.