at any minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at any minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to happen very soon or imminently. Example: "The train is scheduled to arrive at any minute, so we should get ready to board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could kick off at any minute.

The Guardian

"My head may explode at any minute".

The New York Times

McDonald's was expected at any minute.

The New York Times - Travel

Snowden could be uncovered at any minute.

The Guardian

LEIBOVICH: I think Trump could revive it at any minute.

Harvard University

Some worry that the money can stop at any minute.

The New York Times

The bloom is due to start at any minute.

The New Yorker

The next briefing is scheduled to begin at any minute.

The Guardian

They're waiting to be released at any minute".

The New York Times

We were terrified we might be killed at any minute.

The Guardian

I was thinking that at any minute, they were going to come for me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at any minute" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency in your writing. For example, "The results are expected to be announced "at any minute".

Common error

While "at any minute" is acceptable in most contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "imminently" or "momentarily" in academic or professional writing for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at any minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something is expected to happen. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples of its use in sentences describing imminent events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at any minute" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express the expectation that something will happen very soon. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and general writing. While versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "imminently" or "momentarily" in professional settings. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase effectively conveys imminence and anticipation in various situations, making it a useful tool in writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at any moment

Replaces "minute" with "moment", providing a slightly more general sense of time.

any minute now

Adds emphasis on the immediacy of the expected event.

momentarily

A single-word adverb conveying the same sense of imminence.

in a minute

Indicates a short delay before the expected event, while still suggesting it will happen soon.

shortly

Similar to "momentarily", but can imply a slightly longer timeframe.

imminently

A formal term indicating that something is about to happen.

in short order

Implies that something will happen quickly and efficiently.

before long

Suggests that the event will happen in the near future, without specifying an exact timeframe.

on the verge of

Indicates that something is about to happen or begin.

on the point of

Similar to "on the verge of", suggesting that something is very close to happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "at any minute" to express that something is expected to happen very soon. For example, "The doctor said the baby could arrive "at any minute"".

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

For more formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "imminently" or "momentarily". These options offer a more sophisticated tone.

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

Yes, the phrase "at any minute" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It's a common way to express that something is expected to occur very soon.

What is the difference between "at any minute" and "at any moment"?

The phrases "at any minute" and "at any moment" are very similar and often interchangeable. "At any moment" might be perceived as slightly more general, but the difference is minimal.