on the minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is happening exactly at a specific time or very precisely. Example: "The train is scheduled to depart on the minute, so please be ready at the platform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Centred entirely on the minute detail of one man's life, the book's painstaking and often painful unfolding of his haphazard progress through life demonstrated her determination to transform banality into something remarkable, to commemorate the complexity and strange beauty of the everyday.

The Guardian - Books

Every minute, on the minute, they yelled.

The New York Times - Arts

It has indeed, but only for a system on the minute scale of 100 atoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It requires deciphering crude pictographs with less than obvious meanings on the minute display screen.

The New York Times - Tech

Berghahn spends much energy -- perhaps too much -- on the minute details of this campaign.

The New York Times - Books

The entire nation stops to mourn on the minute, each November, when he died.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Jonathan isn't afraid to literally get his hands dirty handling dirty old clocks, or to deliver on-the-minute updates about whatever news stuff pops into his head while he's winding antique clocks!

The New Yorker

Arriving in the west, Kesselring found Luftflotte 2 operating in support of von Bock's Army Group B. He inherited from Felmy a complex air plan requiring on-the-minute timing for several hours, incorporating an airborne operation around Rotterdam and The Hague to seize airfields and bridges in the "fortress Holland" area.

Wikipedia

To inter-convert the data from the different AMs, one can develop correction factors based on the minute-by-minute data and/or the daily means.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

However, in order to generate a regression based on the minute-by-minute data, one must be certain that both AMs record PA at the same time.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Yes, I'm having to watch the great British Bake-Off and follow the footie on the minute-by-minute".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the minute", ensure that it reflects a genuine need for precision. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal. If the exact minute is unimportant, consider using a more general phrase like "around that time".

Common error

Avoid using "on the minute" in casual conversations or informal writing unless you are intentionally aiming for a humorous or ironic effect. The phrase leans towards formality and can sound out of place in relaxed contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the precise timing of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show its use in describing scheduled departures or coordinated actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the minute" serves as a prepositional phrase emphasizing exactness in timing. While grammatically correct and validated by Ludwig AI, its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. It conveys a sense of precision, making it suitable for neutral to formal writing. When using this phrase, consider if the context truly warrants such exactness; otherwise, opt for less formal alternatives. Understanding its function, purpose, and register ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely on time

Emphasizes exactness in timing, replacing the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward description.

exactly at that time

Focuses on the specific point in time, offering a less nuanced but equally precise alternative.

at the precise moment

Highlights the pinpoint accuracy in time, shifting the emphasis to a particular instant.

on the dot

Replaces the phrase with a common idiom conveying the same meaning of punctuality and accuracy.

at the appointed time

Implies a pre-arranged schedule or agreement, adding a layer of formality.

with pinpoint accuracy

Shifts the focus to the high degree of accuracy, rather than strictly the time.

with exact timing

Emphasizes the perfect coordination or synchronization of an event.

right on cue

Suggests a planned event or performance, highlighting the perfect execution of timing.

punctually

A single-word adverb that denotes adherence to a schedule and precision in timing.

in a timely manner

Indicates that something is done efficiently and without delay although it does not imply absolute punctuality.

FAQs

How can I use "on the minute" in a sentence?

You can use "on the minute" to indicate something happens precisely at a specific time, as in "The meeting will start "exactly on time"".

What's a synonym for "on the minute"?

Alternatives to "on the minute" include "on the dot", "precisely at that time", or "at the exact moment".

Is it correct to say "on the minute" or "at the minute"?

"On the minute" is the correct and more common phrasing when referring to a specific point in time. "At the minute" usually refers to "at the present moment".

What does "on the minute" mean in the context of timing?

When referring to timing, "on the minute" means something occurs with exactness and precision, leaving no room for deviation from the scheduled time.