a quick minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick minute" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something happened or is happening for a brief amount of time. For example, "I need to think about this for a quick minute" or "The power outage lasted only a quick minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Bob: We did think about it for a quick minute.

The New York Times

It sucks after a quick minute.

TechCrunch

Forget about the cable TV assault for a quick minute though.

TechCrunch

So how about turning MegaUpload back on for a quick minute?

TechCrunch

Forget about the speed for a quick minute (although that's how Chrome has sold itself for years).

TechCrunch

But for a quick minute, forget that the iPad offers a bigger screen and twice the storage for the same price.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

John and I only touched the device for a few quick minutes at CES and actually walked away a bit underwhelmed.

TechCrunch

The links only seem to stay active for a few quick minutes and I didn't think to grab a screenshot.

TechCrunch

A quick five minute shower will save precious minutes.

WikiHow

Apple took just a few quick minutes during its Back To The Mac event today to announce Facetime on OS X.

TechCrunch

(ahem Boxee Box) We spent a few quick minutes with the device, but until that video finishes doing the processing dance, feel free to shift through these photos.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an activity completed in a very short duration, "a quick minute" can add emphasis, such as "The entire process took only a quick minute."

Common error

While "a quick minute" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse can make your writing sound informal. In formal or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "a brief moment" or "a short period of time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick minute" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "minute". It describes the duration of time as being brief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick minute" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a very short period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability. While suitable for various contexts, including news and general conversation, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional settings. The phrase effectively conveys the brevity of a time span and is often used to reassure or emphasize the short duration of an activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief moment

Replaces "minute" with "moment", both indicating a short period.

a short while

Uses "while" instead of "minute", implying a similarly brief duration.

a fleeting second

Emphasizes the extremely short nature of the time period.

a speedy instant

Highlights the rapid passage of time.

a swift interval

Replaces "minute" with a more formal "interval", still suggesting brevity.

a fast tick

Uses "tick" metaphorically to represent a very short time.

a split second

Emphasizes that the time is nearly instantaneous.

a little bit

A more general phrase indicating a small amount of time.

a short time

More generic, but expresses the same concept of a limited duration.

a small fraction of time

A more descriptive and slightly more formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quick minute" to indicate that something will take very little time, like "Let me take "a quick minute" to explain the situation".

What's a more formal way to say "a quick minute"?

More formal alternatives to "a quick minute" include phrases such as "a brief moment" or "a short period of time".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a quick minute"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the adjective "quick" to describe the noun "minute", indicating a short duration.

What's the difference between "a quick minute" and "a few quick minutes"?

"A quick minute" refers to a single, short minute, while "a few quick minutes" suggests a slightly longer, but still brief, duration involving multiple minutes.