simply a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply a minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to wait briefly or indicating that something will take a short amount of time. Example: "Could you hold on for simply a minute while I grab my notes?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One recording — by Carlos Lazarte, No. 73 — simply is a minute of soothing chirps of coquis, Puerto Rican tree frogs.

The New York Times

My version is simply a few minutes of quiet reflection on such matters each morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

The officials appeared eager to communicate their position publicly, if anonymously, and some observers suggested that the talk of a deadlock was simply a last-minute negotiating ploy.

The New York Times

What Murrow didn't take seriously, though, was television news, then simply a fifteen-minute recitation of stories redacted from wire-service reports.

The New Yorker

The video for "A Milli," which shows Wayne preparing for a video shoot, seems like an acknowledgment of the work ethic and aesthetic embodied in the song: Wayne simply goes and goes, constantly recording songs which he never writes down, and "A Milli" is simply a four-minute excerpt of that experience.

The New Yorker

A Tough Love Review is simply a 10-minute, one-on-one conversation with each employee to talk through the one thing he is doing exceptionally well and the one thing that he needs to improve to reach that next level.

Harvard Business Review

With 26 days before the election, the task facing Romney is in exuding a compassion that comes across as genuine and not simply a last-minute effort to woo voters.

Huffington Post

Step 6: Half a Minute: End Simply; Simply End: Here, you may simply end with "Love," and your name.

Huffington Post

Be very careful not to overcook lobster when grilling - if undercooked, simply put it back for a minute, but it is impossible to undo the damage once the lobster is dry and tough.

The New York Times

His great strength is groove; no flashy mile-a-minute riffs, simply a guitar style that FEELS just right, and is an excellent partnering with Camara's flights of improvisation.

Huffington Post

If you have a microwave, simply blast them for a minute or two until the fruit is very lightly cooked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply a minute" when you want to assure someone that a task or wait will be very brief, conveying efficiency and minimal inconvenience.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "simply a minute" in highly formal or professional settings. Alternatives like "a brief moment" or "just a moment" might be more appropriate to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply a minute" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the brief duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI describes the phrase as being grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simply a minute" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, intended to convey a brief duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a suitable phrase for indicating something will take a very short time. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with alternatives like "just a moment" or "a brief pause" being preferable in more formal settings. The goal is to convey brevity and minimize perceived inconvenience. Due to the lack of examples, it's hard to determine the primary contexts of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a moment

Replaces "simply" with "just" for brevity.

one moment

Omits "simply" and uses "one" instead of "a".

a quick minute

Adds the adjective "quick" for emphasis.

a brief moment

Substitutes "minute" with "moment" and "simply" with "brief".

give me a sec

An informal expression using "sec" instead of "minute".

bear with me a moment

A polite request for patience indicating a short delay.

hang on a second

Informal and indicates a very short pause.

in a short while

Indicates something will happen very soon.

just a tick

An informal British expression.

very shortly

Formal and implies imminent action.

FAQs

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

You can use "simply a minute" to indicate a brief amount of time, as in, "Could you wait "simply a minute" while I find the document?"

What phrases are similar to "simply a minute"?

Alternatives include "just a moment", "a brief pause", or "a quick second", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "simply a minute"?

Yes, "simply a minute" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to denote a short duration.

When is it best to use "simply a minute" versus "just a moment"?

"Simply a minute" and "just a moment" are often interchangeable, but "simply a minute" might imply a slightly shorter duration or a more casual setting. Consider your audience and the context to choose the most fitting phrase.