A good while before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A good while before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant amount of time that has passed prior to a certain event or moment. Example: "I remember it was a good while before I finally decided to move to a new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

To achieve a golden outside, it's imperative to let the seasoned meat stand at room temperature for a good while before cooking, so it hits the oven sizzling, instead of steaming to gray first.

The Washington Post

But the chief astronaut, D. K. Slayton, who was grounded some years ago because of a heart anomaly, started smoking his a good while before that, confident of success.

The New York Times

A béarnaise sauce to go with a steak arrives with a skin on top, a clear sign it was made and plated a good while before I had thought of eating it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A sketchbook is a place where I can discuss ideas with myself, a place I work through and refine an idea for a good while before I will let it run around the studio, and then the world.

The Guardian - Arts

If Angelmaker perhaps starts a bit slowly, and you have to agree to be cheerfully confused by the plot for a good while before it starts making sense, then those are small concerns.

The Guardian - Books

.and stayed…and stayed…until, as the months and years passed, it became obvious to even the most optimistic observer that the compound's development was (at the very least) extremely complicated, and (more likely) had actually quietly ceased a good while before, albeit with no change in its public status.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Barry Cryer Abergavenny Still Alive is the somewhat self-deprecating title of Barry Cryer's latest show, and hopefully it'll be a good while yet before he shuffles off to the great green room in the sky.

The Guardian

Allow to steep a good while in a covered bowl before serving.

The New York Times - Magazine

MacLeod is the son of Murdoch's eldest daughter, Prudence, and Alasdair Macleod, who worked at Wapping for a good while as manager of the Times before taking an executive role in Australia.

The Guardian

Whatever the reason, it will probably be a good long while before midnight strikes.

HuffPost

Bachmann toyed with Wallace's sensitivities for a good long while before finally accepting his apology.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "A good while before" to clearly indicate that a significant amount of time passed before a specific event, ensuring the reader understands the sequence and duration involved.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "A good while before" might sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise language like "considerably earlier" or "significantly prior to" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

"A good while before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event. It specifies that something occurred a significant period of time prior to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A good while before" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that an action or event occurred a notable time prior to another. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. While versatile, it tends to be more appropriate in neutral and informal contexts than in highly formal writing where more precise language might be preferred. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in news and general informational contexts, offering a clear understanding of its practical application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A long time prior

Emphasizes the duration that has elapsed.

Long before that

Highlights the extended duration preceding a specific event.

Quite a bit beforehand

Informal way to express happening earlier.

Significantly ahead of time

Stresses being prepared or occurring notably before the expected moment.

Much earlier on

Focuses on the initial stages of a process.

Considerably earlier

Emphasizes a significantly earlier point in time.

Substantially before

Indicates a noticeable difference in timing.

Well in advance

Focuses on acting proactively before a deadline or event.

A considerable time ago

Focuses on the distance in the past.

Far in the past

Highlights a distant time.

FAQs

What does "A good while before" mean?

It means a significant amount of time has passed before a specific event or moment. It indicates that there was a considerable duration between two points in time.

How can I use "A good while before" in a sentence?

For example: "It was "a long time prior", "A good while before" I realized my passion for writing."

Which phrases are similar to "A good while before"?

Alternatives include "considerably earlier", "long before that", or "significantly ahead of time". Consider the context to choose the best fit.

Is "A good while before" formal or informal?

"A good while before" leans towards the neutral to informal side. In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "substantially before".