a while since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a while since' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period of time in the past. For example, "It's been a while since I saw my grandparents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But it's a while since they visited.

The New Yorker

It has been a while since Jackson was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since I could smile like that.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been a while since I had those".

The New Yorker

"It's been a while since I played football".

The New York Times - Sports

It's been a while since we've won, so we're due".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since his last testicle.

The New Yorker

It's been a while since we had a good retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's been a while since I've been in the ring".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a while since I had shaved.

The Guardian - Travel

IT'S been a while since we've seen the Sexy Stenographer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a while since" to indicate that an event or action has not occurred recently. For example, "It's been a while since I last visited my family."

Common error

Avoid using "a while since" with future tenses. It refers to a period in the past, not something that will happen in the future. For example, don't say "It will be a while since I see them", instead use "It will be a while before I see them."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a while since" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the elapsed time from a previous event or state. It modifies the verb, specifying when something last occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a while since" is a common and correct English phrase used to denote the passage of time from a past event to the present. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across various domains, including News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's essential to use it with past or present perfect tenses and avoid future constructions. Alternatives like "some time has passed since" offer a more formal tone when needed. Always consider the temporal context to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some time has passed since

Emphasizes the duration of time that has elapsed.

it's been some time since

A more formal way of expressing that a significant amount of time has passed.

it has been a long time since

Highlights the length of the time interval.

quite some time has elapsed since

A more emphatic and formal expression of time passing.

it's been ages since

An informal way to indicate a very long period.

it's been a minute since

An informal way to indicate a brief, but noticeable amount of time.

a considerable period has gone by since

A very formal way of describing the elapsed time.

it's been a long stretch since

Similar to "long time", but uses 'stretch' to imply duration.

many moons have passed since

A somewhat poetic or old-fashioned way to say a long time has passed.

it feels like forever since

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of a long time passing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a while since" to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed since something happened. For example, "It's been "a while since" I've seen you."

What's a more formal way to say "a while since"?

A more formal alternative could be "some time has passed since". This is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "a while since" and "a while ago"?

"A while since" is often used with a present perfect construction (e.g., "It's been a while since I..."), while "a while ago" simply indicates a point in the past (e.g., "I saw him a while ago").

Can I use "a while since" to refer to something that will happen in the future?

No, "a while since" refers to a period that has already passed. To talk about something in the future, you would say "It will be "a while before"...".