this may take several minutes vs this can take several minutes

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning, indicating that something might require a few minutes to complete. The choice between 'may' and 'can' depends on the context and the level of certainty or possibility the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1751 views

this may take several minutes

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a possibility or likelihood of something taking a few minutes.

This phrase is used to suggest that something is likely to require a few minutes to complete. It implies a possibility or likelihood of the time frame.

Examples:

This may take several minutes to download.
The repair may take several minutes to complete.

Show examples from the web [+]

For example... these capacitors take several minutes to store enough power to fire the weapon and then again before it can repeat.
Furthermore, many such calls take several minutes and often include a significant time spent 'on hold', which the customer also pays for.
This may take five minutes, it may take an hour.
This may take some time, sir.
Please wait while your F-Spot gallery's database is updated. This may take some time.
Boss, this may take awhile.
This may take a couple of days.
This may take a little time, girls.
This may take years of proceedings before a complaint can be filed to the ECtHR.
This may take A little more time, tj.
Doing first sync. This may take a while.
Information: Updating search database. This may take a while...
I fear this may take some time.
It may take several days for us to complete our mission.
During antipsychotic treatment, improvement in the patient's clinical condition may take several days to some weeks.
It may take several decades to track them down.
Some reports may take several seconds to generate for large collections.
Conducting CCP default procedures may take several days or more following the trigger event.
It has spread already; This may take awhile...
All required information has now been gathered. Click "Next" button to start importing. Depending on size of the database this may take some time.

Alternatives:

this might take several minutes
this could take several minutes
this is likely to take several minutes
this is expected to take several minutes
this will probably take several minutes

this can take several minutes

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a possibility or ability for something to take a few minutes.

This phrase is used to suggest that something has the capability or possibility of taking a few minutes to complete. It implies the ability or potential for the time frame.

Examples:

This can take several minutes to process.
The task can take several minutes to finish.

Show examples from the web [+]

For example... these capacitors take several minutes to store enough power to fire the weapon and then again before it can repeat.
Furthermore, many such calls take several minutes and often include a significant time spent 'on hold', which the customer also pays for.
Large and small companies operate and journeys can take several days or just a few minutes.
This can take place by modifying Regulation No 295/91.
This can take the form of technical/economic monitoring.
Although Polish companies are working hard to build brands abroad, this can take decades.
I hope that this can take effect in July 2010.
This can take place if gas is used in the production of energy itself.
This can take place at an appropriate time.
The whole process can take several hours.
Implementation can take several forms and will reflect regional specificities.
It can take several meetings for us to have a real breakthrough.
Programmes with a focus on urban areas can take several different forms.
To obtain an interoperability certificate manufacturers need to follow an exceptional procedure which can take several months.
This can take you very mad.
We hope they will do so quickly but know from experience with other at times less complex association agreements how long this can take in practice.
It can take several years for a convention to come into effect from the time it was negotiated.
The direct costs arising from M & As can take several forms: consolidating different organisations is not an easy task and may lead to inefficiencies.
You load one and you can take several photos.
It can take several hours For symptoms like this rash to appear.

Alternatives:

this is able to take several minutes
this has the potential to take several minutes
this is capable of taking several minutes
this is possible to take several minutes
this has the capacity to take several minutes

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

this may take several minutes vs this can take several minutes