less than one minute

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than one minute" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about a duration of time that is shorter than one minute. For example, "I can finish this task in less than one minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Archives|AIR-COOLED ENGINE PASSES FLIGHT TEST; New Cyclone Motor Lifts Plane 1,000 Feet in Less Than One Minute.

The New York Times

AIR-COOLED ENGINE PASSES FLIGHT TEST; New Cyclone Motor Lifts Plane 1,000 Feet in Less Than One Minute.

The New York Times

The system is easy to use, requiring less than one minute of hands-on time.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

The CAM-ICU is easy to administer, takes on average less than one minute to complete and requires minimal training.

Critical Care

Obtaining these pressure profiles is straight-forward computationally, taking less than one minute of CPU time on a desk-top computer.

BMC Systems Biology

On the Opteron cluster LEO I of Innsbruck University an EIRENE run where exactly 10 particle histories have been calculated on 96 CPUʼs took less than one minute.

Computer Physics Communications

Lancaster scored the first TD of the night on a four-yard run less than one minute into the game.

Los Angeles Times

It took less than one minute to calculate each of these networks on a desktop machine.

BMC Systems Biology

Less than one minute after the UPenn goal, Stifelman and Jesurum scored on a shot roofed over the goalie's head (the two players hit the puck simultaneously).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The simulated temperature increase lasts less than one minute.

Nature

The judge kept him waiting less than one minute.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than one minute" to clearly indicate a very short time span, especially when precision is needed. For example, when describing the duration of a scientific procedure or the setup time for a software application.

Common error

Avoid using "less than one minute" when a more general term like "quickly" or "briefly" would suffice. Overusing precise timeframes can make your writing sound overly technical or awkward if the exact duration isn't essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than one minute" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

57%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than one minute" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to specify a duration shorter than 60 seconds. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific reports to news articles. While it's versatile, be mindful of overusing precise timeframes when a general term would suffice. The phrase appears frequently in Science and News & Media sources. Related phrases include "under a minute" and "within a minute". Use this phrase when precision about time is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a minute

Replaces "less than" with "under", maintaining the same meaning.

within a minute

Focuses on the action happening inside the span of one minute.

shorter than a minute

Emphasizes the brevity of the time frame.

in under 60 seconds

Specifies the duration in seconds instead of minutes.

in a fraction of a minute

Highlights that it takes a small portion of the minute.

almost instantaneously

Shifts the focus to near-immediate completion.

nearly instantly

Similar to instantaneously but slightly less formal.

almost immediately

Highlights the speed of action with respect to time.

in moments

Refers to a very short period, less precise but similar.

briefly

Describes something happening quickly, with short duration.

FAQs

How can I use "less than one minute" in a sentence?

You can use "less than one minute" to describe the duration of an event or a process. For example, "The installation process takes "less than one minute" to complete", or "The meeting lasted "less than one minute"".

What are some alternatives to "less than one minute"?

Alternatives to "less than one minute" include "under a minute", "within a minute", "almost immediately" or "briefly", depending on the context and the level of precision required.

Is it more appropriate to use "less than 60 seconds" instead of "less than one minute"?

Using "less than 60 seconds" can provide a more precise description. However, "less than one minute" is generally acceptable and more common in everyday language. The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of specificity.

When should I avoid using "less than one minute"?

Avoid using "less than one minute" when a more general term like "quickly" or "briefly" would suffice. Overusing precise timeframes can make your writing sound overly technical or awkward if the exact duration isn't essential.