odd minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

"odd minutes" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of time that is not evenly divided, such as "She had to wait for five odd minutes before the bus arrived".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sometimes I like to be productive in those odd minutes, rather than waste time.

The New York Times - Tech

Clinton ripped Trump for his long convention speech: "He spoke for 70 odd minutes, and I do mean odd".

The Guardian - Opinion

Cross your eyes and hope it stays that way for the next 40 odd minutes or so.

The Guardian - Sport

Those odd minutes of trading are shown below.

Forbes

We did such a lot well in the game for 80 odd minutes.

BBC

Even minutes (except for minute 2) transmit 500 Hz, while 600 Hz is heard during odd minutes.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Germans bored everybody rigid for eighty-odd minutes.

The New Yorker

So twenty-odd minutes of figure skating to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Those 40-odd minutes of unremitting violence must have had the opposite effect on many.

The Guardian - Sport

But there was still 70-odd minutes to go and I just got on with it.

The Guardian - Sport

The score stands at 32-games apiece; the clock at six hours and thirty-odd minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "odd minutes" when you want to convey an approximate duration, usually to indicate a time that is not a precise, rounded number. It is suitable for informal contexts where exactness is not crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "odd" when you mean "even" or a precise number of minutes. "Odd" implies a slight deviation from a whole number. For example, instead of saying "The meeting lasted for two odd minutes, plan accordingly", specify the time or use "about two minutes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "odd minutes" functions as an adjectival modifier combined with a noun. The adjective "odd" modifies the noun "minutes", indicating an approximate or inexact quantity of time. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is used in written English to specify a duration that is not precisely measured.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "odd minutes" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common phrase used to describe an approximate duration of time. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase appears mostly in news and media. When using "odd minutes", remember that it indicates an inexact time and is suitable for informal contexts. Avoid it in situations where precision is required. Consider alternatives like "approximately X minutes" if a more formal tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A few odd minutes

Adds emphasis on the small quantity of time.

Several odd minutes

Indicates a higher quantity of imprecise time.

Some odd minutes

A less specific quantifier for the amount of time.

A strange few minutes

Replaces "odd" with a more descriptive adjective.

A peculiar few minutes

Similar to "strange", but implies a more unusual quality.

An unusual few minutes

Highlights the atypical nature of the time period.

Approximately X minutes

Offers a more formal and explicitly approximate duration.

Roughly X minutes

Indicates an estimation of the duration.

About X minutes

Another way to express an approximate timeframe.

Give or take a few minutes

Emphasizes the possibility of slight variation in the timeframe.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "odd minutes" into a sentence?

You can use "odd minutes" to describe an approximate duration. For example, "I waited for five "odd minutes"" or "The speech lasted seventy "odd minutes"".

Are there alternative phrases to "odd minutes" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "a few "odd minutes"", "approximately X minutes", or "about X minutes" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "odd minutes" instead of a more precise duration?

It's appropriate when the exact duration isn't critical or when you want to convey a sense of imprecision or informality. Avoid using it in formal or scientific contexts where accuracy is paramount.

What's the difference between "odd minutes" and just saying "a few minutes"?

"A few minutes" implies a short, indefinite period, whereas ""odd minutes"" suggests a slightly strange or imprecise duration that is not a whole number of minutes. The distinction is subtle but adds color to the description.