a mere minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mere minute" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a short period of time. For example: "I asked for help and he was there for me in a mere minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And then, a mere minute later in historical time, a "serious" painting could be a Monet haystack.

The New Yorker

Just as the 16th-century master studied an ordinary cross section of sod, and saw great, if unconventional, beauty and variety there, so Graham, in showing the range of activity in a city over the course of a mere minute, shows something unconventional but precious about life and time.

The New York Times - Books

The result, which lasts a mere minute and nine seconds, is poignant, simple and empowering.

Huffington Post

A mere minute ago you somehow intuitively sensed my arrival, and managed to passionately descend upon me before I could even negotiate your ivy-covered stoop.

Huffington Post

Located a mere minute walk from the beach, the oceanfront Dunes Village resort in North Myrtle Beach features Palm Water Park, a 30,000-square-foot indoor water park with a lazy river.

Huffington Post

Forty-eight hours of sequential photos, 1,000 musicians and the production of one of the largest classical choral productions in history seems like a lot to fit into a video spanning a mere minute and 27 seconds.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the world-famous novelty of Manhattan's urban frenzy was a mere minutes away by ferry.

The New York Times

My primal urges are met completely when Roy Hodgson brings Marcus Rashford on in the 85th minute, a mere six minutes after I suggest he bring Marcus Rashford on.

Vice

That lasted a mere 64 minutes — 10 minutes shorter than the third set of Azarenka's match.

The New York Times - Sports

The first half, at more than 90 minutes, is overlong, while the second – a mere 25 minutes – felt too hasty.

The Guardian

Then they took a mere four minutes to broil (two minutes on each side).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere minute" to emphasize how surprisingly little time is needed for something to occur or be completed. It can add a touch of drama or surprise to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere minute" when the time frame is not particularly short or surprising. Using it for longer durations diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere minute" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "minute". It emphasizes the surprisingly short duration of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere minute" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the brevity of a minute, as verified by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective phrase and is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established and appropriate for various writing styles. Consider alternatives like "just a minute" or "only a minute" to fine-tune the emphasis. Be mindful of not overusing "mere" with longer timeframes to preserve its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a minute

Emphasizes immediacy and is often used as a request for a brief pause.

only a minute

Highlights the brevity of the duration, suggesting it is surprisingly short.

simply a minute

Underlines the uncomplicated and short nature of the time span.

a brief moment

Shifts the focus from a specific time unit to a general sense of a very short period.

a quick minute

Implies the minute passes rapidly or is used for a speedy action.

a fleeting minute

Suggests the minute is transient and almost imperceptible.

a scant minute

Emphasizes the insufficiency or bare minimum of the time.

a negligible minute

Highlights the insignificance or unimportance of the time span.

a paltry minute

Conveys that the minute is small or worthless in the context.

a trifling minute

Indicates the minute is insignificant or of little consequence.

FAQs

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

Use "a mere minute" to indicate a surprisingly short amount of time. For example, "The entire performance lasted "a mere minute" and nine seconds".

What does "a mere minute" emphasize?

The phrase "a mere minute" emphasizes the shortness or insignificance of the time period, often highlighting a surprising or unexpected brevity.

Are there alternatives to using "a mere minute"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "just a minute", "only a minute", or "a brief moment" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a mere minute" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a mere minute" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is widely used across different registers, as Ludwig's examples show.