for sixty seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for sixty seconds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify a duration of time, often in contexts related to timing, instructions, or activities. Example: "Please hold your breath for sixty seconds before resurfacing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For sixty seconds.

The New Yorker

Watch for sixty seconds.

The New Yorker

Jonathan Thomas's "Emotional Labor: 10 Paid People Hired and Paid to Smile for Sixty Seconds," is exactly what it says it is: excruciatingly cheery.

The New York Times

To that end, Sternberg gives some sexy revenue details: Meebo ads boast 1% click-rates (compared to.1% for the industry) and on average people watch the ad for sixty seconds.

TechCrunch

If this is new to you, continue for sixty seconds.

HuffPost

It seems you can't look, listen, or feel for sixty seconds without seeing, hearing, or bumping into the word.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He paused for twelve seconds.

The New Yorker

Hold for five seconds.

Harvard University

The bags remain inflated for five seconds.

The New York Times

Marciano stayed down for two seconds.

The New Yorker

For fifteen seconds, Biden said nothing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions for experiments or procedures, use "for sixty seconds" to specify a precise duration. This enhances clarity and reduces ambiguity, especially in scientific or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using overly verbose phrases when "for sixty seconds" is clear and concise. Alternatives like "for a period of sixty seconds" or "during the timeframe of sixty seconds" add unnecessary length without improving clarity. Opt for simplicity to maintain readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for sixty seconds" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of duration, modifying a verb to specify the length of time an action takes place. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to indicate how long something lasts or should be done.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for sixty seconds" is a grammatically sound and precise way to specify a duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's especially useful in contexts that demand accuracy, such as scientific procedures or instructional guides. While "for one minute" serves as a common alternative, "for sixty seconds" offers a specific measurement when required. Remember to prioritize clarity by avoiding more verbose alternatives unless emphasis is needed. Most authoritative sources are News and science, with some informal contexts too.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for one minute

Replaces "sixty seconds" with its equivalent in minutes, providing a more common unit of time.

during a minute

Shifts the focus from duration to occurrence within a specific minute.

lasting one minute

Emphasizes the duration of an event, specifying it as one minute.

for a minute's time

Adds a slight emphasis on the time aspect, using a more descriptive expression.

over the course of a minute

Highlights the progression of an event within the given timeframe.

in the span of sixty seconds

Focuses on the timeframe as a defined span, measured in seconds.

within a sixty-second period

Formalizes the description of the time frame, useful in technical or scientific contexts.

throughout a minute

Indicates that an action or state persists across the entire minute.

during those sixty seconds

Specifically refers to a set of sixty seconds, providing context.

within that minute

Refers to a particular minute already specified in context.

FAQs

What is another way to say "for sixty seconds"?

You can use the phrase "for one minute" as a direct substitute, or depending on context, phrases like "during a minute" might also work.

Is it better to say "for sixty seconds" or "for one minute"?

Both "for sixty seconds" and "for one minute" are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on the context and the desired level of precision. "For sixty seconds" might be preferred in scientific or technical contexts where exact timing is important.

How can I use "for sixty seconds" in a sentence?

You can use "for sixty seconds" to specify the duration of an activity, such as, "Hold the position for sixty seconds" or "The mixture should be stirred for sixty seconds."

In what situations is it appropriate to use "for sixty seconds"?

Using "for sixty seconds" is appropriate when precise timing is important, such as in scientific experiments, medical procedures, or fitness instructions. In more casual contexts, "for one minute" may be more common.