Can I say this:
I forgot about it minutes later.
Or do I have to say it this way instead:
I forgot about it a few minutes later.
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Why do you think this isn't OK to say?– Kit Z. Fox ♦Commented Aug 6, 2014 at 16:09
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In french we always have to say the equivalent of "a few" in that context. I wanted to make sure in english it was ok without. Because I used it and the answer of the person made me think she thought it took a long time.– MonaCommented Aug 6, 2014 at 16:25
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1 Answer
You can. But usually the unadorned phrase minutes later (or seconds later) is reserved for emphasizing shortness of time in a way that "a few minutes later" doesn't really manage to convey, despite the fact that brevity would seem to be underscored by a qualifier like "a few" (which term is more likely to call attention to the inconsequentiality of the fact itself).
