in a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

'in a minute' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean in a short amount of time or shortly. For example, "I'll be ready to go in a minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a minute.

The New York Times

Salad?" "In a minute.

The New Yorker

I'd know in a minute".

The New Yorker

Tell you in a minute".

The New Yorker

"In a minute," Eli said.

The New Yorker

I'd go back in a minute.

The New York Times

Let that soak in a minute.

The New York Times

They were gone in a minute.

The New York Times - Food

In a minute, it would be Christmas.

The New York Times

Put up a cod in a minute.

The New Yorker

I'll be back in a minute".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a minute" when you want to indicate that something will happen or be done very soon. It is suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in a minute" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "shortly" or "presently" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action will occur. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a short amount of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a minute" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to indicate that something will happen shortly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in news and media contexts. While versatile, remember to consider your audience and the formality of the setting. For highly formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "shortly" to maintain an elevated tone. Otherwise, "in a minute" is a perfectly fine and natural way to express a short delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly

This is a more formal way of saying "in a minute".

very soon

This emphasizes the quickness of the event's approach.

in a bit

This is a more informal and vague term for a short amount of time.

in a short while

This suggests a slightly longer duration compared to "in a minute".

presently

This implies an immediate future action in a more formal tone.

right away

This implies immediate action, often used when complying with a request.

any moment now

This suggests anticipation and expectation of an imminent event.

directly

Suggests the action will occur without delay, immediately following the current moment.

in a jiffy

This idiom emphasizes speed and efficiency in completing a task.

in a flash

Emphasizes the quickness and speed with which something will occur.

FAQs

What does "in a minute" mean?

"In a minute" means that something will happen very soon, in a short amount of time.

What can I say instead of "in a minute"?

You can use alternatives like "shortly", "very soon", or "in a bit" depending on the context.

Is "in a minute" formal or informal?

"In a minute" is generally considered informal to neutral. For more formal situations, use "shortly" or "presently".

How accurate is the time frame when using "in a minute"?

The phrase "in a minute" doesn't necessarily mean exactly 60 seconds. It's often used to indicate a brief, unspecified amount of time in the near future.