wait for a few minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "wait for a few minutes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you would like the reader to pause or take a brief interval of time before continuing with whatever they are doing. For example: Please wait for a few minutes while I finish up my presentation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

You just go in and wait for a few minutes and whoosh, there's your ride home.

The New York Times

The blades were clean and free of blood, but instead of giving up the tenacious investigator decided to wait for a few minutes.

Independent

Then, as we drag artists say, it needs to cook – that means you wait for a few minutes, until everything sets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Constituents and lobbyists who turned up in senators' personal offices were redirected to the Capitol, where they crammed into the elegant reception room just off the chamber to wait for a few minutes with the lawmaker of their choice.

The New York Times

The best thing is that unlike regular nail polish, this stuff washes off your skin instantly, so you can be as messy as you like – but wait for a few minutes for the polish to dry first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Teams often build their apps, deploy it to a few servers, wait for a few minutes and then check their dashboards to look for obvious issues.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The researchers found that surge pricing tends to refresh every five minutes, so waiting for a few minutes could be the best way to get a cheaper price.

Independent

After Golubev emerged from the locker room and gave an interview to an ESPN commentator, Nadal kept everybody waiting for a few minutes before making his appearance.

The New York Times - Sports

I waited for a few minutes, but it was clear that they were never going to agree, and, anyway, the Europcar was already closed.

The New Yorker

He waits for a few minutes, then runs at it, vaults over, and, landing, gathers himself into a tight ball — he's learned this from watching videos on a jihadi Web site.

The New Yorker

He slings the collapsible gun over his shoulder, girdles the belt around his waist, and throws the carryall over a low part of the fence, then waits for a few minutes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "wait for a few minutes" to clearly indicate a short pause that is essential for a process to complete correctly. For example, in a recipe, "wait for a few minutes" after adding an ingredient to allow it to incorporate properly.

Common error

Be specific when using the phrase "wait for a few minutes". Vague timeframes can cause confusion; specify the expected duration, particularly in technical or instructional contexts where precise timing is critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for a few minutes" serves as an imperative, instructing the listener or reader to pause or delay action for a short period. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait for a few minutes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to instruct or direct someone to pause briefly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, although it’s most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity, especially in situations requiring precise timing. Alternatives such as "hold on a moment" or "pause briefly" can offer stylistic variety. Remember that while grammatically correct, being specific on the exact duration is advisable to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a moment

Suggests a very short wait, often used in conversation.

give it a minute

Informal and implies a short, unspecified amount of time.

pause briefly

Implies a very short interruption; less specific about the duration.

delay momentarily

Formal and emphasizes the temporary nature of the delay.

be patient for a short while

More formal and emphasizes the need for patience.

allow some time

Highlights the allocation of time for something to happen.

hold your horses

Idiomatic and informal, suggesting impatience and a need to slow down.

linger briefly

Suggests a slight extension of a current state before continuing.

take a breather

Implies a short pause for rest or recovery.

kick back briefly

Informal, suggests relaxation during the waiting period.

FAQs

How can I use "wait for a few minutes" in a sentence?

You can use "wait for a few minutes" to instruct someone to pause briefly, for example, "Wait for a few minutes before checking the oven to avoid burning yourself."

What are some alternatives to "wait for a few minutes"?

Alternatives include "hold on a moment", "give it a minute", or "pause briefly", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it better to say "wait a few minutes" or "wait for a few minutes"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "wait for a few minutes" is generally considered more grammatically complete. The omission of "for" is common in informal speech but may sound slightly abrupt in formal writing.

What does "wait for a few minutes" imply about the duration of the wait?

"Wait for a few minutes" suggests a short, but unspecified, period of time. It typically implies a wait of less than ten minutes, but the exact duration can vary based on context.