another three minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "another three minutes" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a period of time that is three minutes in length, but different from a previous or expected period of time. Example: "We have been waiting for the bus for 10 minutes, and the schedule says it should arrive in another three minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Cook another three minutes.

The New York Times

Within another three minutes, Mata had found the net.

Independent

"Don't keep me on tenterhooks............!!!" Another three minutes.

The Guardian

Then add the cabbage and cook for another three minutes.

The New Yorker

Stir in the curry leaves, ginger, chilli and ground spices, and cook for another three minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He parcooks the rice so that he needs only another three minutes to finish the cooking.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Another five minutes passed.

The New Yorker

Another twenty minutes.

The New Yorker

There were another two minutes.

Independent

Another two minutes pass.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Another twenty minutes for Trump.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "another three minutes" in a recipe, be precise about the timing and what should be happening during that interval for optimal results.

Common error

Avoid using "another three minutes" when you mean "every three minutes". "Another three minutes" implies a single, additional block of time, while "every three minutes" suggests a recurring interval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "another three minutes" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to indicate the duration of an action. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "another three minutes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves as an adverbial phrase specifying a supplementary time duration. Appearing frequently in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register. When writing, ensure you use "another three minutes" to indicate a specific additional time block, avoiding confusion with recurring intervals. Consider alternatives such as "three more minutes" for slight variations in emphasis. Ludwig’s examples also highlight its use in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three more minutes

Replaces "another" with "more" while keeping the duration the same.

an additional three minutes

Substitutes "another" with "an additional" for emphasis.

three extra minutes

Replaces "another" with "extra", implying unexpected time.

a further three minutes

Uses "further" instead of "another" to suggest continuation.

three subsequent minutes

Emphasizes the sequence of time, using "subsequent".

the next three minutes

Focuses on the immediacy of the following time period.

three remaining minutes

Highlights that the time is left over.

another brief period

Replaces the specific duration with a more general descriptor.

a few more moments

Substitutes the precise duration with a vaguer timeframe.

a short extension

Refers to the time period as an extension, implying something continues.

FAQs

How can I use "another three minutes" in a sentence?

You can use "another three minutes" to indicate a short, additional duration, as in, "Cook the sauce for ten minutes, then simmer for "another three minutes"".

What is a synonym for "another three minutes"?

Similar phrases include "three more minutes", or "an additional three minutes", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "another three minutes" or "a further three minutes"?

Both "another three minutes" and "a further three minutes" are correct, but "another three minutes" is more common in everyday speech. "Further" might sound slightly more formal.

What does "another three minutes" imply about the time period?

"Another three minutes" suggests that a previous time period has already occurred, and this is an additional, separate block of time of three minutes. It's not the same as saying "a total of three minutes".