a good minute

USAGE SUMMARY

'a good minute' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an additional amount of time allowing a task to be done. For example, "I need a good minute to think about my response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It went on for a good minute.

The New Yorker

That was a good minute, wasn't it?

The Guardian - Sport

That hurt for a good minute.

The Washington Post

Not a good minute for him.

The Guardian - Sport

But they stood there for a good minute before checking their phones and moving on.

The New Yorker

She let me stand there for a good minute before looking up.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Where the horn-driven fanfare used to fade to thrumming teletype after about 15 seconds, the music now continues for a good minute-plus.

The New York Times

With a few good minutes, they would be whole again.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, a good 10 minute power nap helps as well.

HuffPost

A good last minute solution in take-out.

WikiHow

"We can be more consistent: a good 40 minutes, as opposed to a really good 20 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good minute" to indicate a brief but noticeable period of time, particularly when emphasizing the impact or significance of that duration. For instance, "The audience needed "a good minute" to find the breath to cheer."

Common error

Be mindful not to overuse the phrase in close proximity, as it can dilute its impact. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. For example, avoid writing: "I waited "a good minute". Then, after "a good minute" passed, I left."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good minute" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "minute", indicating a period of time that is perceived as significant or considerable. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent use in describing time spans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good minute" is a common and correct phrase used to denote a noticeable or significant duration of time. Ludwig AI’s analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Sports contexts, with a neutral register suitable for broad application. When using the phrase, consider the alternatives like "a solid minute" or "a decent minute" for variety, and avoid overusing it to maintain the phrase's impact. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "a good minute" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid minute

Replaces 'good' with 'solid', emphasizing the substantial or complete nature of the minute.

a decent minute

Substitutes 'good' with 'decent', suggesting the minute was adequate or acceptable.

a fair minute

Uses 'fair' instead of 'good', implying the minute was reasonable or just enough.

a reasonable minute

Replaces 'good' with 'reasonable', indicating the minute was appropriate or within acceptable limits.

a substantial minute

Changes 'good' to 'substantial', highlighting the significant or considerable nature of the minute.

a noticeable minute

Employs 'noticeable' instead of 'good', focusing on the minute being easily observed or recognized.

a considerable minute

Substitutes 'good' with 'considerable', stressing the minute's importance or magnitude.

a full minute

Uses 'full' in place of 'good', underscoring the completeness or entirety of the minute.

quite a minute

Adds 'quite' to modify 'a minute', intensifying the duration or impact.

a respectable minute

Changes 'good' to 'respectable', implying the minute was worthy of admiration or regard.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good minute" to describe a noticeable or significant amount of time, as in "The speaker paused for "a good minute" before continuing her speech".

What phrases are similar to "a good minute"?

Alternatives to "a good minute" include phrases like "a solid minute", "a decent minute", or "a fair minute", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a good minute and a half"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to say "a good minute and a half" to indicate a duration slightly longer than a minute. This phrasing adds specificity to the amount of time being described.

What does it mean when someone says "it's been a good minute"?

Saying "it's been a good minute" often means it has been quite some time since something last occurred. For example, "It's been "a good minute" since I last saw you" implies a considerable amount of time has passed.