few minutes
Short time
Use `a few minutes` to politely describe a short, manageable wait in any social or work situation.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a short duration, typically 3 to 10 minutes.
- Used to ask for patience or describe a quick task.
- Common in both casual chats and professional workplace settings.
Meaning
This phrase describes a short amount of time, usually between three and ten minutes. It is a friendly way to say you will be ready soon or that something won't take long.
Key Examples
3 of 6Waiting for a friend at a cafe
I will be there in a few minutes, just looking for parking!
I will be there in a short time.
In a professional business meeting
Let's give the others a few minutes to join the call.
Texting while getting ready
Almost ready! Just need a few minutes to finish my hair.
Cultural Background
In Western cultures, 'a few minutes' is often used as a 'buffer' phrase to maintain politeness while running slightly behind schedule. While its literal meaning is a small number, socially it functions as a request for a small amount of patience without being specific.
The 'A' Matters
Always say 'a few minutes' (positive) instead of just 'few minutes' (negative/rare). 'A few' means 'some,' which sounds much friendlier!
The 10-Minute Rule
In the US and UK, if someone says 'a few minutes,' they usually mean anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes. It is rarely exactly three!
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to a short duration, typically 3 to 10 minutes.
- Used to ask for patience or describe a quick task.
- Common in both casual chats and professional workplace settings.
What It Means
Few minutes is your go-to phrase for a short wait. It literally means more than two but not many. In conversation, it is a flexible promise. It tells people you are almost done. It keeps the mood relaxed and patient.
How To Use It
Use it with the word a to say a few minutes. You can put it at the end of a sentence. You can also use it to start an explanation. It works perfectly with verbs like wait, take, or give. It is a very helpful building block for English.
When To Use It
Use it when you are running late for coffee. Use it in a meeting when you need to find a file. It is great for texting a friend while you park your car. It works when you are cooking and the pasta is almost ready. It is the ultimate social lubricant for time.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you will be an hour late. That will make people angry! Avoid it in very strict legal documents. Do not use it for things that take seconds. If you say few minutes for a one-second task, you sound slow. Be honest about the scale of time.
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, a few minutes is a polite white lie. It often means ten minutes instead of three. It is a way to show you value the other person's time. People use it to stay polite even when they are busy. It is a soft way to manage expectations.
Common Variations
Just a few minutes: Makes the wait sound even shorter.A couple of minutes: Usually means exactly two, but often used interchangeably.Several minutes: Feels a bit longer and more formal.In a few: Very casual slang for the same thing.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any situation. The most important rule is to include the article 'a' to keep the tone positive and natural.
The 'A' Matters
Always say 'a few minutes' (positive) instead of just 'few minutes' (negative/rare). 'A few' means 'some,' which sounds much friendlier!
The 10-Minute Rule
In the US and UK, if someone says 'a few minutes,' they usually mean anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes. It is rarely exactly three!
Don't Overuse
If you say 'a few minutes' every time you are late, people will stop believing you. Use it wisely!
Examples
6I will be there in a few minutes, just looking for parking!
I will be there in a short time.
Used here to manage expectations when arriving late.
Let's give the others a few minutes to join the call.
A polite way to wait for late participants.
Almost ready! Just need a few minutes to finish my hair.
Very common casual use among friends.
My computer says it needs a few minutes to update... for the third time today.
Used to express mild frustration with technology.
Don't worry, the doctor will see you in just a few minutes.
Used to provide reassurance and reduce anxiety.
Can we have a few minutes to look at the menu?
A standard way to ask for more time to decide.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
The bus should arrive in ___, so get your ticket ready.
We use 'a' before 'few' and 'minutes' must be plural.
Complete the text message.
I'm outside! Give me ___ to grab my bags.
A few minutes is the natural way to describe a quick task like grabbing bags.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'A Few Minutes'
Texting a friend 'In a few!'
In a few!
Standard daily conversation
I'll be ready in a few minutes.
Polite request in a meeting
May I have a few minutes of your time?
Where to use 'A Few Minutes'
At a Restaurant
We need a few minutes to decide.
At the Office
The meeting starts in a few minutes.
On the Phone
Can I call you back in a few minutes?
At Home
Dinner will be ready in a few minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot usually. While 'few' technically means more than two, in conversation it usually means a short, unspecified time between 3 and 10 minutes.
It is grammatically better to use a few minutes. Saying few minutes without the a sounds incomplete or overly negative.
Yes, it is perfectly professional. You might say, I just need a few minutes to set up my presentation.
A couple strictly means two, while a few means three or more. However, many people use both to mean 'a short time'.
It is always plural: a few minutes. Since 'few' refers to more than one, the noun must be plural.
No, if something takes 30 minutes or an hour, you should say half an hour or a while instead.
You can be very short. Texting In a few! is a common way to say you are almost there.
Adding just emphasizes that the time is very short. It makes the wait sound even smaller and more polite.
A moment is usually even shorter than a few minutes. Use a moment for things that take seconds.
Yes! You can say, I finished the report a few minutes ago.
Related Phrases
A couple of minutes
Usually two minutes, but used for any very short time.
In a bit
A casual way to say 'soon' or 'in a short time'.
Momentarily
A formal way to say 'in a very short time'.
Short while
A slightly more formal way to describe a brief period.
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