quite minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very small or insignificant in size or importance. Example: "The error in the report was quite minute, hardly noticeable to anyone reviewing the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The biggest shortcoming of this small device is that the battery life is also, unfortunately, quite minute.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Not quite last minute, as the regulatory news service's close of business comes at 6.30pm, but pretty close.

The Guardian - Business

This part of the ride lasted not quite a minute.

Forbes

And at 2 hours 41 minutes, quite a bit longer.

The New York Times

Now, maybe you are wondering, "What can I learn in 10 minutes?" Quite a bit.

The New York Times - Sports

His flight lasted about 9,000 feet and not quite two minutes.

The New York Times

"Northern Ice, Golden Sun," not quite seven minutes long, paints the deep attachment the Inuit feel toward the earth.

The New York Times

Those are not quite Duncan Keith-level minutes – Keith took home the Conn Smythe last year – but they're not far off.

The Guardian - Sport

This interview is not quite five minutes old and I feel we have already wandered some way off the path.

The Guardian - Film

Motocross is probably the most physically demanding motorcycle sport, although its races are quite short 40 minutes or less for each of the two heats of a race.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In just two-reels, that's not quite 25 minutes, The Mothering Heart (1913) turns an episode of marital infidelity into a devastating catastrophe.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite minute" to describe something that is technically small but whose smallness has an impact or is surprising. For example, the impact of a "quite minute" error can be substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "quite minute" to describe things that are expected to be small. It's best used when the small size is noteworthy or unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite minute" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its size or extent. Ludwig shows the phrase being used to directly qualify a noun, emphasizing the diminutive nature of the described object.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite minute" is a valid adjective phrase used to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of something. As Ludwig AI specifies, "quite minute" "is correct" and can be used to describe something that is very small or insignificant in size or importance. While not exceedingly common, as indicated by the 'Rare' frequency, it is grammatically sound and best suited for contexts where highlighting the unexpectedly small size is important. Contextually, it appears more frequently in journalistic content. When deciding on the writing for it, remember that you can use alternatives like "very small", "extremely tiny", or "somewhat insignificant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very small

Direct synonym, emphasizes the small size.

extremely small

Emphasizes the small size with intensity.

very tiny

Another synonym for very small.

extremely tiny

Emphasizes the tiny size with intensity.

rather small

Similar, but with a more subdued emphasis on size.

somewhat insignificant

Shifts the focus from size to importance.

relatively unimportant

Highlights lack of importance.

barely noticeable

Focuses on the difficulty of perceiving it.

hardly perceptible

Highlights lack of perception.

insignificantly small

Combines both smallness and unimportance.

FAQs

How can I use "quite minute" in a sentence?

You can use "quite minute" to describe something very small, like, "The error in the calculation was "quite minute", but it affected the final result."

What's a synonym for "quite minute"?

Alternatives for "quite minute" include "very small", "extremely tiny", or "somewhat insignificant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "quite minute" in formal writing?

Yes, "quite minute" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision is important. However, consider whether a simpler term like "very small" would be more effective.

How does "quite minute" compare to "negligible"?

While both describe something small, "quite minute" focuses on physical size or quantity, whereas "negligible" emphasizes the insignificance of the impact or effect.