two minutes long

USAGE SUMMARY

"two minutes long" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe any duration of time lasting two minutes. For example, "The meeting was two minutes long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The national anthem is only roughly two minutes long.

The New York Times

Each one is a miniature, less than two minutes long, concise and delicately presented.

The Guardian - Music

On the plus side, this is less than two minutes long.

The Guardian - Music

Just two minutes long, it sounds almost accidental, and it is transfixing.

The New York Times - Arts

The full footage (it's about two minutes long) is on the Tory website.

The Guardian

"Our songs average two minutes long, like a penalty" Mr. Spagnolo said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The Memphis Belle" is a mini-epic (forty-two minutes long) that joins moment-by-moment anxiety to disturbing beauty.

The New Yorker

"Notes on a Scandal," a hurried, brilliant ninety-two minutes long, is structured as a series of graded dramatic climaxes leading to linked explosions.

The New Yorker

Forty five minutes long.

The Washington Post

Nine shots, each about ten minutes long.

The New Yorker

The clip is about nine minutes long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the length of a video, presentation, or performance, use "two minutes long" to clearly communicate the duration to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "two minutes long" when an exact duration is crucial. If the duration is approximate, clarify by using phrases like "approximately two minutes long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two minutes long" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by specifying its duration. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "two minutes long" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe duration, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjectival phrase, primarily used to specify the length of various subjects like videos, songs, or presentations. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. As seen from the Ludwig examples, it appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Academia" contexts. For enhanced precision, consider alternatives like "lasting two minutes" or "a duration of two minutes". When exactness is key, avoid using it alone and use an approximate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting two minutes

Focuses on the duration itself rather than describing something as being a specific length.

a duration of two minutes

Emphasizes the length of time as a specific measurement.

two-minute duration

Uses a compound adjective to describe the length, slightly more concise.

of two minutes in length

More formal and emphasizes the measurement of length.

approximately two minutes

Indicates an estimation rather than a precise duration.

about two minutes in duration

Combines estimation with a formal term for length of time.

spanning two minutes

Highlights the action of covering a time period of two minutes.

with a two-minute runtime

Commonly used for videos or performances, specifying the total running time.

extending for two minutes

Focuses on the continuation or stretch of time.

a short period of two minutes

Emphasizes that the duration is brief.

FAQs

How can I use "two minutes long" in a sentence?

You can use "two minutes long" to describe the duration of an event, such as "The song is "two minutes long"" or "The presentation was "two minutes long"".

What's a more formal way to say "two minutes long"?

A more formal alternative is "a duration of two minutes" or "lasting two minutes". These phrases emphasize the measurement of time in a professional context.

Is it correct to say "two-minute long" instead of "two minutes long"?

While "two-minute long" might be understood, it's grammatically less conventional than ""two minutes long"". The standard form is generally preferred in formal writing.

What are some other ways to express a short duration of time?

You can use phrases like "a short duration", "a brief period", or "approximately two minutes depending on the context".