minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "minute" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the context of time (i.e. a period of sixty seconds) or size (i.e. very small). For example, "the baby's foot was so small, it was hardly even a minute".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Jeff Carter scored in the opening minute of the second and third periods for the Kings, who became the first road team to win in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

That was in the 74th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

Keneally said her involvement in the proposal came at the "pointy end" and what was presented to her was a bad cabinet minute.

The Guardian

Brown repeatedly said he did not recall specifics about altering the cabinet minute or who instructed him to change it.

The Guardian

I said, 'Look, I'll have a look at it.' " Brown said he may have given instructions for the minute to be changed and conceded he made alterations himself.

The Guardian

He said Kelly "did not agree" with the original minute and, when asked what comment Kelly had made when he was shown the original, Brown replied: "None, I don't think … It was obviously a minute prepared by someone who didn't have a lot of experience in writing cabinet minutes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

But watching over a ten-minute period, the demand for pictures was mainly for Romney.

The Guardian

Jackson Irvine gave the visitors the lead with an 11th-minute header before Nadir Ciftci's penalty nine minutes later restored parity.

The Guardian - Sport

Later, the Queen was given a five-minute standing ovation as she went on to the stage to meet performers after a gala concert at the Dublin Conference Centre.

The Guardian

Cotterill's 13th-minute shot, from the edge of thearea, looped off Cook and behind for a corner after the latter had been caught in possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Just a 10-minute stroll from the Short Strand, hundreds of people looked on as two rival factions jeered and snarled at one another before the final confrontation, when hand-to-hand fighting finally broke out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "minute" to denote a precise unit of time. For less formal writing, consider alternatives like "moment" or "jiffy".

Common error

Avoid using "minute" when referring to a vague or extended period. Instead of saying "I'll be there in a minute" when you expect to be significantly delayed, opt for phrases like "I'll be there shortly" or "I'll be there soon".

Linguistic Context

The word "minute" functions primarily as a noun referring to a unit of time equal to sixty seconds. It can also function as an adjective meaning very small, or a verb meaning to record something in the minutes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "minute" is a versatile term that functions primarily as a noun indicating a unit of time, but can also serve as an adjective meaning very small or as a verb related to recording information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is very common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sport. When using "minute", be mindful of its precision and avoid using it for imprecise durations. Consider alternatives like "moment" or "jiffy" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sixty seconds

Replaces "minute" with its precise definition as a unit of time.

a moment

Similar meaning, less specific than "minute".

brief moment

Emphasizes the brevity of the time period, similar to a "minute".

short time

Provides a more general term for a brief duration, less precise than "minute".

instant

Highlights the immediate nature of an event, shorter than a "minute".

small amount of time

Offers a descriptive alternative, highlighting the limited duration.

split second

Focuses on an extremely short duration, much faster than a "minute".

a jiffy

Informal synonym for a very short period of time.

a sec

Informal shortening of 'second', used to denote a brief pause.

small detail

Shifts the meaning to indicate a small feature or item rather than duration.

FAQs

How can I use "minute" in a sentence?

You can use "minute" to refer to a unit of time, as in "The meeting will last for 30 minutes". It can also refer to a very small amount, as in "They found minute traces of the substance".

What are some synonyms for "minute"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "minute" include "moment", "instant", "second" (when referring to time), or "tiny" and "minuscule" (when referring to size).

Is "minute" a noun, adjective, or verb?

"Minute" can be a noun (a unit of time), an adjective (very small), or a verb (to record in minutes).

What's the difference between "minute" and "moment"?

"Minute" refers to a specific unit of time (sixty seconds), while "moment" is a more general and often shorter period of time. A "moment" is less precise than a "minute".