2006-10-20 22:59:15 · 20 answers · asked by CHRIS U 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Moment doesn't specify an exact period of time, where as minute obviously does.
To put my answer into context, whilst working at a call-center we were discouraged from saying to customers "Can I put you on hold for a minute?" because anything longer than a minute could give rise to a complaint. Instead, we were expected to ask "Can I put you on hold for a moment?" as a moment cannot be quantified.
Madness isn't it?
2006-10-20 23:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by Witchywoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is correct to say moment since that indicates this precise time whereas minute indicates a measurement of time.
Personally, I have heard it and it makes me grind my teeth. I know English is a living language and therefore constantly evolving but these little mistakes make me positively insane as they are mostly caused by people hearing things said incorrectly in the first place, ie; my baby daddy, a-ight and a few other teenage misphrasings I can think of.
2006-10-21 06:04:08 · answer #2 · answered by Star 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be "at the moment" as "moment" is not a specific, measurable period of time, as "minute" is. Some people even say "At this moment in time"!! What's wrong with "now"?
2006-10-21 16:01:10 · answer #3 · answered by Specsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Momentarily at this moment I would say at the minute it would be momentarily better to say at the moment than at the minute, but wait a minute, a moment has passed and now a minute, so at the minute I would say at the moment is better!!!
2006-10-21 06:04:24 · answer #4 · answered by L6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'At the moment' is more grammatically correct than at the minute, unless u are a maths person! Minute is referral only by 2 mins
2006-10-21 06:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by Fenrispro 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It got shortened. I've heard "half a mo', mate". Maybe a minute is longer than a moment (or even a second, as in "Just a sec".).
2006-10-21 07:45:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed that too. Just a passing fad, like "at the end of the day...".
And where would some people be without the word "absolutely"??
2006-10-21 08:32:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Still using 'moment' here too.
it's probably coming in to the UK from American or Australian TV shows. Kids (and adults who watch Tv) are likely to emulate what they see without even knowing it.
(SMASH your TV !!)
2006-10-21 06:09:14 · answer #8 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i say Moment not minute.
2006-10-21 06:02:13 · answer #9 · answered by Alfred E. Newman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But surely "at the minute" is still preferable to the pretentious "at this point in time"?
2006-10-21 06:03:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋