just one minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just one minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to wait briefly or when indicating a short amount of time needed for something. Example: "Can you hold on for just one minute while I grab my notes?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But hold on just one minute.

TechCrunch

Coverage kicks off on BBC one in just one minute so turn the TV on and lap it up.

BBC

"Just one minute, please.

The Guardian - Sport

The tape lasts just one minute.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Pennsylvania Democratic Debate continues after just one minute.

The New York Times

Had the towers stood up for just one minute longer..

The New Yorker

"We lost everything we had in just one minute.

The Guardian

"OK," he says, "but just one minute - mommy's waiting".

The Guardian - Film

The bomb exploded at just one minute to three.

The Guardian

The time saved per patient is relatively small perhaps just one minute.

Harvard Business Review

Williams, who played just one minute in last year's playoffs, will be under scrutiny, and pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just one minute" when you need to politely ask someone to wait briefly, or when describing something that takes a very short amount of time.

Common error

While "just one minute" is a common and acceptable phrase, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "a moment", "a second", or other phrases that indicate a brief period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just one minute" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, often used to indicate a short duration or request a brief pause. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just one minute" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common phrase utilized to signify a brief delay or a task requiring minimal time. As Ludwig highlights, it is considered appropriate across a multitude of contexts ranging from news articles and formal business correspondence to scientific publications. While versatile, writers should remain mindful of its frequency, opting for variations when suitable. Overall, its widespread use and clear meaning cement its position as a valuable component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief moment

Emphasizes the brevity of the time period.

give me a second

Indicates needing a very short time to do something.

one moment please

A polite and formal way to request a short delay.

hold on a moment

Asks someone to wait briefly.

a quick sec

An informal way to ask for a very short wait.

wait a short while

Suggests a slightly longer but still brief wait.

bear with me briefly

Requests patience for a short duration.

in a little bit

Indicates something will happen very soon.

shortly

A concise way to say something will occur soon.

almost immediately

Emphasizes the near instantaneous nature of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "just one minute" in a sentence?

You can use "just one minute" when you're asking someone to wait briefly, as in "Can you give me "just one minute" to finish this task?" or when indicating the short duration of something: "This process takes "just one minute"."

What are some alternatives to saying "just one minute"?

Instead of "just one minute", you could say "a moment", "a second", "a brief pause", or "wait briefly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "just one minute" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "just one minute" might be considered slightly informal for very formal contexts. In such cases, consider alternatives like "one moment please" or "allow me a moment" to maintain a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "just one minute" and "in a minute"?

"Just one minute" implies a very short, specific duration of time, literally 60 seconds. "In a minute" is more general and means "soon" or "shortly", without necessarily implying precisely 60 seconds.