any minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"any minute" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something will happen soon, usually within the next few minutes. For example, "I'm expecting my friends to arrive any minute now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any minute.

The New York Times - Sports

Any minute now.

The New Yorker

"Going to rain any minute".

The New Yorker

They're due any minute.

The New York Times

Baby due any minute.

The New York Times - Books

Your mother will be returning any minute.

The New Yorker

It will be here any minute.

The New York Times - Health

It could kick off at any minute.

The Guardian

He gets fired any minute, right?

The New York Times

The doorbell will ring any minute.

The New York Times

The revelers would be arriving any minute!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "any minute" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency in your writing. For instance, "The announcement is expected any minute", heightening reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "any minute" when the event is not expected to occur in a very short time frame. Saying "The project will be completed any minute" when it requires weeks can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage to express near-future expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any minute" is a common adverbial phrase used to express the expectation of an imminent event. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it may be too informal for highly academic settings, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of other writing styles. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the anticipated event truly is expected to happen in a very short timeframe to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any second now

Similar to "any minute", but emphasizes even greater immediacy.

in a moment

Emphasizes a brief duration before the event occurs.

very soon

Focuses on the immediacy of the event, less specific about the time frame.

shortly

Implies a near future occurrence, slightly more formal.

imminently

Suggests the event is on the verge of happening, more formal.

before long

Indicates something will happen relatively soon, less precise.

in short order

Indicates something will happen quickly and efficiently.

in the near future

Broader timeframe, not as immediate as "any minute".

just around the corner

Figurative, indicating something is about to happen or be revealed.

presently

Implies something will happen soon, slightly archaic.

FAQs

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

You can use "any minute" to indicate that something is expected to happen very soon. For example, "The train is due to arrive "any minute" now".

What's a good alternative to "any minute"?

Alternatives to "any minute" include "very soon", "in a moment", or "shortly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "any minutes" instead of "any minute"?

No, "any minute" is the correct form. "Any minutes" would imply a plural number of minutes, which isn't the intended meaning when expressing an immediate expectation.

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

"Any minute" suggests something will happen almost immediately, while "in a few minutes" implies a slightly longer, though still short, timeframe. The phrase "any minute" creates a stronger sense of anticipation.