around a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate duration of time, often in informal contexts. Example: "The meeting will last around a minute, so please be ready to discuss your points quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

We're looking for short clips (around a minute).

The Guardian - Music

A typical run lasts around a minute, but St Moritz is longer, the longest on the circuit; 70-plus seconds at 80-85mph, your face millimetres from the ice.

Independent

That may not sound much – but when there's fresh powder around, a minute is a long time, especially if you're the one sitting on the lift watching someone else rip it up.

Independent

The processing and capture both take around a minute to finish.

Heritage Science

After it heats up (around a minute or so), add the chopped chilli, garlic and parsley.

HuffPost

Gelification takes very short time at body temperature (around a minute).

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

I did the other stuff before logging onto the Matrix because it took too long for the computer to boot up--around a minute.

HuffPost

International calls to Western Europe and Canada are around 2 cents a minute.

The New York Times - Tech

If you think this unimportant, walk into the Chapel nearby and look around for a minute.

Princeton University

Then, after standing around for a minute, they would start something else.

The New Yorker

They were going to turn around in a minute and say it had been a mistake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "approximately one minute" for a more professional tone.

Common error

While "around a minute" is acceptable in casual contexts, avoid overuse in technical or scientific writing where precise measurements are necessary. Provide exact times whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the approximate duration of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around a minute" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate an approximate time duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for most contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and general writing. While acceptable, more precise language may be preferred in formal or technical documents. Consider alternatives such as "approximately one minute" or "about a minute" based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

About a minute

A more concise and equally common alternative.

Approximately one minute

More formal and precise than the original phrase.

Almost a minute

Indicates the duration is close to, but not quite, a full minute.

For a minute or so

Adds slight uncertainty to the duration.

Just under a minute

Implies that the duration is slightly less than a full minute.

Roughly sixty seconds

Replaces 'minute' with its equivalent in seconds, adding specificity.

In the vicinity of a minute

More verbose and less common, but still indicates approximation.

A minute-ish

Informal and playful way of saying approximately a minute.

A short while

More general, indicating a brief period without specifying the exact duration.

Briefly

Very concise, implying a very short duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "around a minute" to indicate an approximate duration, like in "The process takes "around a minute" to complete".

What's the difference between "around a minute" and "about a minute"?

Both "around a minute" and "about a minute" are similar and can be used interchangeably in most situations to indicate an approximate time. The difference is negligible.

Is it correct to say "almost a minute" instead of "around a minute"?

Yes, "almost a minute" is a valid alternative, suggesting the time is slightly less than a full minute, while "around a minute" is more general.

When should I use "approximately one minute" instead of "around a minute"?

Use "approximately one minute" in formal or technical contexts where precision is valued. "Around a minute" is suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.