a little while later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a little while later' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the passing of a short period of time (e.g. a few minutes or hours) between two events. For example, "The storm began to subside and a little while later the sun came out".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little while later, he was gone.

The Washington Post

A little while later, another buzz.

The New York Times

A little while later, the Nazis took away radios.

The New Yorker

Like, a little while later bodies start to bob up?

The New York Times - Books

And then, a little while later, the show ended.

The New York Times - Sports

A little while later, Patrick called up again.

The New York Times

A little while later, my phone rang — it was Gary.

The New Yorker

A little while later, Medvedev signed a decree removing Luzhkov.

The New York Times

A little while later, the two apparently spoke again.

The New Yorker

A little while later, his wife and children come home.

The Washington Post

A little while later, Fleury left the Rangers' practice facility.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a little while later" with other time-related adverbs or phrases to provide a more precise sense of timing if needed. For example, "a little while later, around 3 PM, ..."

Common error

Avoid using "a little while later" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider alternatives like "shortly afterwards" or "soon after" to diversify your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little while later" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. It specifies that an event happened after a short, unspecified duration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little while later" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a short passage of time between two events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a useful phrase for creating narrative flow, avoid overuse and consider related phrases like "shortly thereafter" or "soon after that" to maintain variety in your writing. When indicating a time frame, it's best to use it after establishing the first timeframe reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A little after that

Uses similar wording while changing the structure slightly.

Soon after that

Indicates that the second event happened not long after the first.

A short time afterward

Focuses on the brevity of the time interval that has passed.

After a short delay

Explicitly mentions the presence of a delay before the subsequent event.

Shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the immediate succession of events, suggesting a very brief delay.

Sometime later

Suggests an unspecified but relatively near point in time.

A brief period later

Highlights that the duration between events was relatively short.

Before long

Conveys that not much time passes before the next event occurs.

In a few moments

Implies a more specific and limited timeframe.

Subsequently

A more formal term indicating that something followed in time or order.

FAQs

How can I use "a little while later" in a sentence?

You can use "a little while later" to indicate that an event occurred shortly after another event. For example, "She finished her work, and "a little while later", she went for a walk".

What phrases are similar to "a little while later"?

Similar phrases include "shortly thereafter", "soon after that", or "a short time afterward". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little while after" instead of "a little while later"?

While "a little while after" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "a little while later" is generally preferred when indicating the passage of time. "A little while after" often requires a specific reference point (e.g., "a little while after the meeting").

What's the difference between "a little while later" and "a while later"?

"A little while later" suggests a shorter, less defined period of time compared to "a while later". "A while later" implies a somewhat longer or more indefinite duration. The choice depends on how precisely you want to indicate the time passed.