two more minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two more minutes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a short additional time period needed for an activity or task to be completed. Example: "I just need two more minutes to finish this report before I can join the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

90 mins: Two more minutes to come.

The Guardian - Sport

"Two more minutes for me," says Rose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He received two more minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The New York Times - Sports

There are two more minutes until break time.

The Guardian - Sport

120 mins: There will be two more minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

After two more minutes, the car's horn starts beeping.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Three more minutes passed.

The New York Times

Five more minutes, then three.

The New York Times

Ten more minutes, I think.

The New Yorker

Ten more minutes passed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lundqvist shone again for five more minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two more minutes" when you need to specify a short amount of extra time for completing an activity or task. It is clear and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "two more minutes" to significantly delay tasks. It should be used only for genuinely short extensions, or else people might feel misled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two more minutes" functions as a quantifier phrase specifying a duration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatical and usable. It is commonly used to indicate or request a short, additional period of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Sport

18%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Lifestyle

14%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two more minutes" is a common and grammatically correct way to express or request a short extension of time. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used across different contexts, particularly in news and media, sports, and lifestyle content. While it is versatile, using more formal alternatives like "an additional two minutes" might be preferable in professional or academic settings. When using the expression make sure to set the right expectation for the remaining duration of the task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give me two more minutes

Direct request for additional time, adding a personal pronoun.

a couple more minutes

Uses "couple" instead of "two", implying a similar but slightly less precise amount of time.

another two minutes

Emphasizes that this is an additional period of time.

a few more minutes

Uses "few" instead of "two", suggesting a slightly longer but still brief duration.

wait two more minutes

Instruction to pause or delay for the specified time.

just a minute longer

Emphasizes the brevity of the additional time requested.

one moment more

Uses "moment" instead of "minute", implying a very short period.

extend the time by two minutes

More formal way of asking for additional time.

allow two more minutes

Formal instruction or permission to take additional time.

hold on for two more minutes

Indicates waiting or enduring for a short duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "two more minutes" to request or offer a short extension of time, as in "Can I have "two more minutes" to finish this task?" or "There are "two more minutes" left in the game."

What is a less direct way to ask for "two more minutes"?

Instead of directly asking for ""two more minutes"", you could say "Could you give me a couple more minutes?" or "I just need a few more minutes to wrap this up".

Is it appropriate to use "two more minutes" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal settings, it may be better to use phrases like "an additional two minutes" or "a further two minutes" for enhanced professionalism.

What is the difference between "two more minutes" and "a couple more minutes"?

"Two more minutes" is a precise measurement of time, while "a couple more minutes" is less specific, implying approximately two minutes. The choice depends on the level of precision needed.