over two minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over two minutes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration that exceeds two minutes, often in contexts related to time measurements or durations. Example: "The video lasts for over two minutes, making it a bit longer than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just turning on the Q1 takes over two minutes (40 seconds from hibernate mode).

The New York Times - Tech

It took over two minutes for the system to log a group of attendees onto a chat space.

Forbes

Just over two minutes remain.

The New York Times

A little over two minutes later, the Islanders scored again.

The New York Times - Sports

Just over two minutes later, it was Karpa's turn.

The New York Times - Sports

According to the GPS, I was running 40 m.p.h. for over two minutes".

The New York Times - Health

They were warned repeatedly that anything over two minutes would be cut.

The New York Times

The statement lasted just over two minutes, and the players took no questions.

The New York Times

With just over two minutes left, Oregon has the ball and all three of their timeouts.

The New York Times

The scene runs well over two minutes and was done in one take.

The New York Times

Siena led by 41-18 with just over two minutes left in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying exact durations, use precise measurements (e.g., "2 minutes and 15 seconds"). Use "over two minutes" when an approximation is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "over two minutes" when precise timing is crucial. In situations where accuracy matters (e.g., scientific experiments), use a more specific measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over two minutes" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate this in contexts ranging from computer startup times to sports events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

General Contexts

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over two minutes" is a common and correct way to indicate a duration exceeding two minutes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While versatile, it's best suited for approximations; precise measurements are preferable when accuracy is crucial. Alternatives like "more than two minutes" or "longer than two minutes" can be used for variety. When using "over two minutes" ensure that you use a more specific unit if timing accuracy is crucial, and note that “at least two minutes” is not perfectly interchangeable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than two minutes

Replaces "over" with "more than", indicating a duration exceeding two minutes using different wording.

longer than two minutes

Emphasizes the length of time surpassing two minutes.

exceeding two minutes

A more formal way of saying something lasts for more than two minutes.

past two minutes

Indicates a point in time beyond the two-minute mark.

in excess of two minutes

A formal phrasing to indicate that a period is greater than two minutes.

at least two minutes

Sets a minimum duration of two minutes, although the actual time could be longer.

two minutes and some change

Informal way of saying a little more than two minutes.

a couple of minutes plus

Indicates a duration slightly longer than two minutes.

two-plus minutes

A concise, informal way of indicating a duration of two minutes or more.

two minutes or so

Indicates an approximate duration around two minutes, possibly slightly longer.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "over two minutes" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "more than two minutes", "longer than two minutes", or "exceeding two minutes" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "longer than two minutes" instead of "over two minutes"?

Yes, "longer than two minutes" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "over two minutes". Both phrases indicate a duration exceeding two minutes, but "longer than two minutes" might emphasize the length more directly.

What's the difference between "at least two minutes" and "over two minutes"?

"At least two minutes" sets a minimum threshold, meaning the duration is two minutes or longer. "Over two minutes", on the other hand, implies the duration is definitely longer than two minutes. So "at least two minutes" includes the possibility of being exactly two minutes, while "over two minutes" does not.

When should I use a more precise time measurement instead of "over two minutes"?

Use precise measurements (e.g., "2 minutes and 30 seconds") when accuracy is important, such as in scientific studies, medical instructions, or cooking recipes. "Over two minutes" is suitable for general approximations.