a minute long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minute long" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe the duration of something, such as a speech, a video, or a task. Here is an example: "The presentation was a minute long, but it covered all the important points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Now what?"This exchange may be a minute long.

The Economist

Many recordings are no more than a minute long.

The New Yorker

Their speeches were short, many just a minute long.

The Guardian

The ad, called "Envy," is a minute long.

The New Yorker

But here are some gems, each under a minute long.

The Guardian - Music

Some tracks are tiny sketches around a minute long; others go up to 9 or 10.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Watch a minute-long version of it in time-lapse.

The Guardian - Travel

After a minute-long confrontation, one of the officers shot Mr. Hill.

The New York Times

It's a minute-long shot at Santorum, reflecting the momentum Santorum has had recently.

The New Yorker

And he is running a minute-long advertisement focusing on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

Pastor Randall placed his hand on the woman's forehead and uttered a minute-long prayer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minute long" to clearly specify the duration of an event, video, or audio clip. This phrase is straightforward and easily understood, making it effective for conveying precise timeframes.

Common error

Avoid using "a minute long" when you simply mean something is short or brief, without a specific need to emphasize the exact 60-second duration. Opt for general terms like "brief" or "short" if precision isn't necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minute long" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its duration. As Ludwig AI states, it accurately defines time, indicating that something lasts for 60 seconds.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

8%

Tech

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Travel

2%

Music

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minute long" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify that something lasts for 60 seconds. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and the examples provided demonstrate its frequent occurrence in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "lasting one minute" or "one-minute duration" exist, "a minute long" provides a straightforward and easily understood way to convey duration. When using this phrase, be sure that specifying the exact 60-second duration is necessary for clarity, as using it loosely may be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting one minute

Focuses on the duration itself, using a more descriptive structure.

one-minute duration

Emphasizes the specific length of time as a defined duration.

sixty seconds in length

Provides the exact time in seconds, offering a more precise measurement.

extending for a minute

Highlights the act of something continuing for a specific time.

having a one-minute runtime

Used specifically for videos, films, or other timed events.

of one minute in length

A more formal and slightly verbose way to express the duration.

brief

Conveys a general sense of short duration but lacks the specific time reference.

short

Similar to 'brief', indicating brevity without specifying the length.

fleeting

Emphasizes the quick and transient nature of something.

lasting a short time

A general term for something that does not last very long.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minute long" to describe the duration of something, such as "The video was "a minute long"" or "The speech was "a minute long"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a minute long"?

Alternatives include "lasting one minute", "one-minute duration", or "sixty seconds in length", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "a minute long" or "one minute long"?

Both "a minute long" and "one minute long" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "A minute long" is slightly more common and sounds more natural in many contexts.

What's the difference between "a minute long" and "a short time"?

"A minute long" specifies an exact duration of 60 seconds. "A short time" is more general and doesn't provide a precise timeframe, implying a brief period but without quantifiable measure.