it took me a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"it took me a minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something took a short amount of time to complete or understand. For example, "I finally figured out the answer to the riddle; it took me a minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It took me a minute.

The New Yorker

Sorry – it took me a minute to think about it.

The Guardian - Film

It took me a minute to decide which boyfriend I wanted to have".

Independent

I thought, 'Who stole my footage?' It took me a minute to realize it was CNN".

The New York Times

"It took me a minute to realize what I was seeing," she said.

The Washington Post

It took me a minute or two to put it together, and when I did I wasn't happy.

The New Yorker

"It took me a minute to twig that she was talking about the Queen".

The Guardian - Film

"It took me a minute, and then I pulled out my plane ticket.

The New York Times - Sports

"It took me a minute to swallow the pill," Anderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

It took me a minute to realize that it was me, screaming.

The New York Times - Health

"It took me a minute to figure out he wasn't making fun of me," Mr. Dowling said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language to avoid repetition. While "it took me a minute" is perfectly acceptable, consider alternatives like "it took me a moment" or "I needed a second" for stylistic diversity.

Common error

While "it took me a minute" is common, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Employ synonyms and rephrase for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took me a minute" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the time required to understand or process something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, aligning with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took me a minute" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a short delay in understanding or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by a wide range of examples primarily from news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives for academic or professional contexts. Remember to balance its usage with synonyms to maintain variety in your writing. The sources range from The New York Times to the Huffington Post, showing broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it took me a moment

Replaces "minute" with "moment", both indicating a brief period.

it took me a second

Substitutes "minute" with "second", implying an even shorter delay.

it took me a while

Uses "while" to suggest a slightly longer, indefinite period.

i needed a moment

Shifts the focus to needing time, rather than the time itself.

it required a moment

Uses a more formal tone to express a brief need for time.

i paused for a moment

Highlights a deliberate pause before action or understanding.

i hesitated briefly

Emphasizes the hesitation rather than the duration.

i had to stop and think

Focuses on the cognitive process of needing to think.

i was briefly delayed

Indicates a short delay without specifying the cause.

it gave me pause

Highlights that something caused a moment of reflection.

FAQs

How can I use "it took me a minute" in a sentence?

You can use "it took me a minute" to describe a brief delay in understanding or reacting to something. For example, "It took me a minute to realize what was happening."

What can I say instead of "it took me a minute"?

You can use alternatives like "it took me a moment", "it took me a second", or "I needed a moment" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "it took me a minute" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it took me a minute" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "it required a moment" or rephrasing to sound more professional.

What's the difference between "it took me a minute" and "it took me a while"?

"It took me a minute" implies a shorter, more specific timeframe than "it took me a while". The latter suggests a less defined and potentially longer duration.