a good while

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good while" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that is typically used to indicate a fairly long period of time. For example: "I haven't seen her in a good while, so I'm looking forward to catching up with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were talking for a good while".

The Guardian - Sport

It took him a good while to stop.

The New Yorker

Low yields could be here for a good while yet.

The Economist

He'd had gray hair for a good while.

The New Yorker

"We chased her a good while," the witness said.

The New York Times

For a good while, I was going through full workouts.

The New York Times - Sports

We worked a good while at putting things to rights.

The New Yorker

It all looked lovely for a good while.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bardalet predicted Dalí's body would last a good while longer.

The Guardian - Arts

He's been gone for a good while now".

The New Yorker

I will remember this exhibition a good while.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good while" when you want to indicate a duration that is longer than expected or typical, but without specifying the exact amount of time. It adds a touch of casualness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a good while" when you need to be precise about the duration. If accuracy is crucial, provide specific time measurements instead (e.g., "for three hours" instead of "for a good while").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The provided examples demonstrate its role in specifying time periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good while" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a significant duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in situations requiring precise time measurements. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "a considerable time" or "an extended period". Remember to avoid using it if precision is key. By understanding its usage and context, you can effectively incorporate "a good while" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable time

Emphasizes the length of the period.

a long time

A more general and common expression for a significant duration.

a substantial period

More formal, suggesting a noteworthy duration.

an extended period

Highlights the continuous nature of the duration.

quite some time

Informal; emphasizes the unexpected length.

a fair amount of time

Focuses on the quantity of time.

a lengthy duration

Stresses the extended nature of the time.

for quite a spell

More colloquial; suggests a continuous period.

a protracted interval

Formal and emphasizes delay or continuation.

hours on end

Highlights the repetition and potentially tedious aspect of duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good while" to indicate a significant period, as in "I haven't seen her in "a good while", so I'm looking forward to catching up."

What's a more formal alternative to "a good while"?

For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a considerable time" or "a substantial period" instead of "a good while".

Is "a good while" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a good while" might be too informal for strict academic writing. Opt for more precise or formal phrasing like "an extended period" or stating the exact duration if known.

What's the difference between "a good while" and "a long time"?

Both phrases denote a significant duration, but "a long time" is more general, whereas "a good while" often implies the duration was somewhat unexpected or noticeable.