any minute now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any minute now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is expected to happen very soon or imminently. Example: "The train is delayed, but it should arrive any minute now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was saying something but I was thinking "any minute now".

The New York Times

Any minute now.

The New Yorker

He'll be out any minute now.

The Guardian - Sport

He should be home any minute now.

The New Yorker

Expect to receive Mr. Ghilarducci's resignation letter any minute now.

The New York Times

The end could and would come any minute now.

The Guardian

The body will be arriving in Misrata any minute now".

The Guardian

They're going to start nipping my toes any minute now.

The Guardian - Sport

The kheymeh will be set alight any minute now.

The Guardian

"I'm supposed to wake up any minute now or something.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The public toilets, however, are still in the any-minute-now stage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing; consider more sophisticated alternatives like "imminently" or "momentarily" for a polished tone.

Common error

Don't use "any minute now" when the timing is uncertain or distant; the phrase implies a high degree of immediacy. Using it inappropriately weakens its impact and can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any minute now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event. Ludwig examples show it expressing near-future expectation. It emphasizes the immediacy or anticipation of something about to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any minute now" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express the imminent occurrence of an event. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as supported by Ludwig's AI, it conveys a sense of anticipation and immediacy. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal registers. When writing, ensure its usage aligns with the actual proximity of the expected event to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At any moment

Highlights the potential for something to occur at any given time, closely related to "any minute now".

In a moment

Indicates an event will happen in a very short period, similar to "any minute now" but less emphatic.

Imminently

Emphasizes the impending nature of an event, sounding slightly more formal.

Shortly

Similar to "very soon", suggesting a brief time frame before something occurs.

Very soon

A broader term indicating something will happen in the near future, less specific than "any minute now".

Right away

Suggests immediate action or occurrence, possibly faster than "any minute now".

Coming up

Often used to announce something about to happen in a broadcast or event.

On the verge of

Implies being close to a significant event or change, more dramatic than "any minute now".

Just around the corner

Indicates an event is close in time, but can also refer to future possibilities.

In the offing

Implies something is likely to happen soon, often used in a formal or literary context.

FAQs

What does "any minute now" mean?

The phrase "any minute now" means that something is expected to happen very soon or imminently.

What can I say instead of "any minute now"?

You can use alternatives like "at any moment", "very soon", or "shortly".

Is it grammatically correct to say "any minute now"?

Yes, the phrase "any minute now" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

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

You can use "any minute now" to express that something is about to happen, such as, "The show is about to start, it should begin "any minute now"".