wait a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait a minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to pause or hold on for a short period of time, often to gather your thoughts or clarify something. Example: "Wait a minute, I need to check my notes before we continue the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, folks".

The New Yorker

Wait.a.minute__I__NEG__know__she__COP__woman Hey, wait a minute!

Lingua Sinica

Wait wait wait wait wait a minute.

TechCrunch

Wait.a.minute__I__NEG__know__you__a.while.ago__go__they__company #Hey, wait a minute!

Lingua Sinica

TAYLOR Wait a minute!

The New York Times - Arts

Wait a minute here.

The New York Times

Then, wait a minute!

The New York Times - Sports

Wait a minute, dude!

The New Yorker

Um, wait a minute.

The New York Times

But wait a minute.

The New York Times - Books

Gail: Wait a minute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a minute" to politely interrupt a conversation to introduce a clarifying point or objection. For example: "Wait a minute, are we sure about these figures?"

Common error

Avoid using "wait a minute" excessively in formal writing or presentations. It can sound too casual; opt for more formal alternatives such as "one moment, please" or "if I may interject".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a minute" functions primarily as an interjection, used to express a sudden thought, interruption, or a need for clarification. It can also serve as a polite way to disagree or question something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wait a minute" is a common and versatile interjection used primarily to interrupt, seek clarification, or express disagreement. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, media, academic and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, it might be too casual for very formal environments, where alternatives like "one moment, please" are more appropriate. Understanding its function and register can help you use it effectively in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a second

Suggests a slightly more informal and quicker pause.

give me a moment

Implies a need for a short amount of time to think or prepare.

hang on a sec

An informal way to ask someone to pause briefly.

just a moment

A polite way to request a brief pause.

one moment, please

A formal request for a short pause.

let me see

Suggests the speaker needs time to consider something before responding.

pause for a second

Directly requests a brief interruption.

bear with me

Asks for patience while the speaker needs some time.

hold your horses

An idiomatic expression advising someone to be patient and not rush into something.

not so fast

Implies that someone is proceeding too quickly and needs to slow down or reconsider.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait a minute" to politely interrupt or ask for clarification. For example, "Wait a minute, I think there's been a misunderstanding".

What can I say instead of "wait a minute"?

You can use alternatives like "hold on a second", "give me a moment", or "just a moment" depending on the context.

Is "wait a minute" appropriate in formal communication?

While generally acceptable, "wait a minute" might be too casual for highly formal settings. Consider using alternatives like "one moment, please" or "if I may interject".

What's the difference between "wait a minute" and "hold on"?

"Wait a minute" often implies a need for clarification or disagreement, while "hold on" can simply mean "pause" or "stop".