a while though

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a while though' is an acceptable and usable form of English.
It is most commonly used to indicate a contrast between two things. For example: "I haven't been to the beach in a while though I love swimming in the ocean."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

After a while, though, you stop trying.

The New York Times

After a while, though, he got restless.

The New York Times

After a while, though, quiet returns.

The New York Times

For a while, though, the performances didn't improve.

The Guardian - Sport

After a while, though, it wasn't so bad.

The New York Times

"I do like to have a Ding Dong every once in a while though," he said.

The New York Times

Every once in a while, though, I got a brief glimpse behind this idyllic curtain.

The New York Times - Travel

After a while, though, it becomes apparent that we remain on the surface of things.

The New York Times - Arts

Once in a while, though, I'd be invited along with one of my friends.

The New Yorker

After a while, though, the compulsion to identify everything and everyone — Jimmy Stewart!

The New York Times

After a while, though, these exercises began to feel a little incomplete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a while though" to introduce a contrasting element after a period of time, creating a sense of shift or change in the narrative or situation.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a while though" in highly formal writing; consider stronger conjunctions like "however" or "nevertheless" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a while though" functions as a conjunctive phrase, introducing a contrasting element or qualification to a preceding statement. As Ludwig examples show, it typically indicates a shift or change in circumstances after a period of time. According to Ludwig AI, this is an acceptable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a while though" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a conjunctive element, introducing a contrast or qualification after a certain period. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as acceptable English, and its frequent occurrence in News & Media indicates its integration into common language. While grammatically correct, its informal tone suggests cautious use in formal or academic writing, and as can be seen in Ludwig's examples, more formal alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" could be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although after a bit

Similar in meaning, 'a bit' is less formal than 'a while'.

still after a period

Suggests that despite what was previously stated, something else is true after a while.

but after a period

Emphasizes the duration before the contrasting element arises, adding a temporal aspect.

but eventually

Highlights the final result, differing from the initial expectation.

yet after a duration

Introduces a contrast with a temporal element, similar to "but after a period".

yet in the end

Similar to "but eventually", focusing on the ultimate outcome.

however after some time

More formal, explicitly indicating a change after a certain duration.

even so after some time

Highlights the contrast despite the preceding situation or statement.

however ultimately

A formal alternative that emphasizes the final result after a period.

nonetheless after a duration

A more formal way to introduce a contrasting element.

FAQs

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

Use "a while though" to introduce a contrast after a period. For example, "I enjoyed the movie at first. After "a while though", it became boring".

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

Alternatives include "however", "nevertheless", or "nonetheless", which provide a more polished tone in formal contexts.

Is "a while though" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "a while though" is considered acceptable in English, particularly in less formal contexts like casual conversation or news articles.

What's the difference between "a while though" and "after a while"?

"After a while" indicates a passage of time, while ""a while though"" introduces a contrasting element or an unexpected development after that passage of time.