a while still

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a while still" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will take a certain amount of time before it happens or is completed. Example: "I think it will be a while still before we see any significant changes in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

After a while, still in her flannel pajamas, she put on her boots and went to the shed.

The New Yorker

Friends I haven't seen in a while still ask, after we fill one another in on our lives, about the vase thing.

The New York Times

Yet, through it all, Williams has shown that those pining for her replacement may be left waiting for a while still.

The New Yorker

The main concern for the remaining years I have, if God can spare me for a while still, is to deal with string playing and singing.

The New York Times - Arts

It was hoped that the modified monovision arrangements (B and C) might yield improved distance and near acuities in comparison with the standard diffractive bifocals (A) while still maintaining good stereopsis in comparison with the single-vision monovision combination (D) and thus allow wearers to achieve better all round visual performance.

Contact Lens and Anterior Eye

In any case, Trump's supporters will see the truth about him soon enough, though for a while still he may be able to continue to cloud their vision with fears and hatreds, projecting onto non-whites, non-Christians, and non-natives the failure that he will make of government.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Bier launched the company, with a partner, while still a student.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. le Carré was recruited as a spy while still a college student.

The New York Times - Books

IT is well known that President Grover Cleveland, once governor of New York, probably fathered a son while still a bachelor.

The New York Times

When she became pregnant she could have chosen abortion — but chose instead to become a mother while still a teenager.

The New York Times

The School offers training and teaching opportunities to develop as a teacher while still a student.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a while still" to indicate a situation or action will continue for an indefinite but noticeable period. It's suitable when you want to convey that something is not immediate.

Common error

While generally indicating an indefinite period, using "a while still" with exact timelines can create confusion. For instance, avoid saying "It will be a while still, about five minutes", as it is more appropriate to state "It will be about five minutes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a while still" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the continuation of a state or action for an unspecified but noticeable duration, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "a while still" denotes that an action or state will persist for a noticeable period. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and effectively communicates the continuation of something. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's important to avoid using it with precise timeframes to maintain clarity. Alternative phrases like "some time yet" can offer a more polished tone in certain situations. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and wiki articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some time yet

Replaces "a while" with "some time", emphasizing the remaining duration.

a bit longer

Uses more informal terms to indicate a short extension of time.

for the time being

Indicates a temporary continuation of a situation.

in the meantime

Focuses on what happens during the remaining time.

a period still

Substitutes "while" with "period", keeping the duration concept.

some time remains

Highlights that time is left, often emphasizing a need to wait.

for now

Suggests a temporary state that will persist for an unspecified duration.

yet awhile

An archaic form meaning for a short time.

lingering on

Implies a drawn-out continuation.

remaining duration

Focuses on duration that persists.

FAQs

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

Use "a while still" to express that something will continue for an indefinite duration. For example, "The project will take "a while still" to complete" indicates it will take some more time.

What can I say instead of "a while still"?

You can use alternatives like "some time yet", "a bit longer", or "for the time being" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a while still" in formal writing?

Yes, "a while still" is acceptable in formal writing, but alternatives like "some time yet" might be preferred for a more polished tone in certain contexts.

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

"A while still" refers to a future duration, indicating something will continue, whereas "a while ago" refers to a past duration, indicating something happened earlier. They have opposite temporal orientations.