a minute later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a minute later' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened a short amount of time after something else. For example: She finished her presentation, and a minute later the audience began to applaud.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A minute later.

The New York Times

A minute later, YourAnonNews complied.

The New Yorker

Mr. Boyd followed a minute later.

The New Yorker

About a minute later, the captain returned.

The New York Times

A minute later, it was halftime.

The New Yorker

A minute later, Sue called the number.

The New Yorker

A minute later, Elmo went inside.

The New York Times

About a minute later, Agha died.

The New York Times - Magazine

A minute later, the bike was gone.

The New York Times

"Then a minute later I hear boom!

The New York Times

Less than a minute later, Chelsea scored.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minute later" to clearly indicate a short time interval between two events. This helps create a sense of immediacy and flow in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid repeating "a minute later" too frequently in a single paragraph. Vary your language with alternatives like "shortly after" or "moments later" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minute later" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. It specifies a time frame, providing temporal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minute later" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to denote a short time interval between events. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s a useful phrase for establishing sequence and providing temporal context, particularly in news, media and informal content. While versatile, writers should avoid overusing it in close proximity and consider alternatives to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's consistent usage across authoritative sources and its clear communicative purpose make it a reliable choice for indicating temporal succession.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moments after

Implies a very brief and almost immediate succession.

quickly following

Highlights the speed with which the second event occurs.

shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the immediate sequence of events, indicating a brief interval.

soon after that

Indicates that the second event occurred quickly following the first.

a short time afterward

Highlights the brief duration between the two events.

not long after

Indicates that only a small amount of time passes before the next event.

in the next minute

Focuses on the specific time frame within which the second event occurs.

directly following that

Stresses the direct and immediate sequence.

one minute subsequently

Uses more formal language to indicate the succession.

subsequent to that minute

More formal and emphasizes the time-based relationship between the events.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minute later" to describe an event that happens shortly after a previous one. For example: "She finished speaking, and "a minute later", the applause began".

What are some alternatives to "a minute later"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shortly thereafter", "moments after", or "soon after that", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to specify the time frame when describing sequential events?

No, specifying the time frame isn't always necessary. However, using phrases like "a minute later" can add precision and clarity to your writing, especially when the timing is important to the narrative.

What's the difference between "a minute later" and "a moment later"?

While both indicate a short period of time, "a minute later" is more specific, referring to a 60-second interval. "A moment later" is less precise and suggests a shorter, unspecified duration.