within a minute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within a minute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen or should be done in a very short amount of time, specifically in one minute or less. Example: "Please send me the report within a minute so I can review it before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Within a minute, it was above them.

The New Yorker

Within a minute, the bodies had vanished.

The New Yorker

Within a minute, the anger.

The Guardian

Within a minute, it was over.

The New York Times - Travel

Within a minute I was laughing.

The Guardian

Within a minute it was 8-0.

The Guardian - Sport

Within a minute, though, Northampton were level.

The Guardian - Sport

It made me smile within a minute.

The Guardian - Books

Within a minute Coventry doubled their lead.

The Guardian - Sport

I turned it off within a minute.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Within a minute I'd had the lot.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within a minute" to clearly and concisely communicate a short timeframe for an action or event. It provides a specific and easily understood measure of time.

Common error

Avoid using "within a minute" excessively in close succession. Vary your language with alternatives like "almost immediately" or "in short order" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within a minute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the timeframe in which an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in describing the timing of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within a minute" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a brief timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. To maintain clarity and avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "in under a minute" or "almost immediately". Remember that "within a minute" suggests the action will occur before the minute ends, making it a specific and useful phrase for setting expectations about timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in under a minute

Rephrases to emphasize the brevity of the time frame.

in less than a minute

Highlights the upper limit of the time taken.

in a minute's time

Alternative wording to denote swiftness of action.

momentarily

Uses an adverb to indicate happening very soon.

almost immediately

Stresses the near-instantaneous nature of the event.

very quickly

Simple adverbial phrase indicating speed.

in short order

Suggests the task will be completed rapidly.

rapidly

Concise and direct adverb emphasizing speed.

in a jiffy

Informal way of saying something will happen quickly.

forthwith

A more formal way of saying "immediately".

FAQs

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

You can use "within a minute" to indicate that something happens or should be done in a very short timeframe. For example, "The presentation will start within a minute" or "Please submit your answers within a minute".

What are some alternatives to "within a minute"?

You can use alternatives such as "in under a minute", "almost immediately", or "in less than a minute" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "within a minute" or "in a minute"?

"Within a minute" emphasizes the action happening before the minute is over, whereas "in a minute" can imply at any point during the next minute. Choose the phrasing that best reflects your intended meaning.

What does "within a minute or so" mean?

"Within a minute or so" implies a slight degree of uncertainty about the exact timing, suggesting it could be a little more or less than one minute. It indicates a short, approximate timeframe.