a while went by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a while went by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed before something else occurred. Example: "After a while went by, I finally decided to check my messages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Quite a while went by.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can't let poor choices, which all students make every once and a while, go by without stating our disappointment, even if the students win or they get away with it.

Huffington Post

After a while goes by, you could say something about how you dumped him because....blah blah blah.. happened.

WikiHow

A little while goes by, and Cryptome's host gets a take-down notice.

TechCrunch

The New Yorker, April 15 , 1950P. 21 "Since I come from Boston, I couldn't understand something I saw today while going by the Grand Central Station," Mr. Cromwell writes.

The New Yorker

By Leta Cromwell and Geoffrey T. Hellman The New Yorker, April 15 , 1950P. 21 "Since I come from Boston, I couldn't understand something I saw today while going by the Grand Central Station," Mr. Cromwell writes.

The New Yorker

But temporary co-branding may occur in some cases, as in Euro RSCG Circle, which for a while will go by the name Euro RSWCG 4D.

The New York Times

He says: 'If you say I'm not going to get out of bed in the morning until I've got an absolute guarantee that I will not be run down by a bus while going across a pedestrian crossing, you'll never get out of bed.' But he lacks charisma and the vision thing and he still has a long way to go in improving his presentational skills.

The Guardian

Majority (51.9 %) of the sick visited the place of treatment on foot while 40% went by a car or bus.

BMC Health Services Research

For quite a while the company went by the header Gucci Group before changing it to PPR.

The New York Times

Dell got FDH, Michael Dell left for a while, and innovation went by the wayside.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a while went by" to clearly indicate a lapse in time before a subsequent event or action. This can help create a sense of narrative pacing.

Common error

Avoid using "a while went by" in overly passive constructions. Instead, focus on active descriptions of what happened during that time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a while went by" functions as a temporal clause, indicating the passage of an unspecified duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It sets the stage for subsequent events in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a while went by" serves as a useful tool for indicating the passage of time in various forms of writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not overly formal, it provides a clear sense of temporal context, influencing the narrative flow. Consider that alternative phrases such as "some time passed" or "eventually" may provide a different tone and feel. When deploying the phrase, it is recommended that overuse of passive voice should be avoided for enhanced active voice and more concise constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some time passed

A simpler and more direct way of saying that time has gone by.

some time elapsed

Replaces "a while went by" with a more formal term indicating that time has passed.

after some time

Indicates a period of time passed before something else happened.

as time went on

Focuses on the ongoing nature of time passing.

after a certain period

Similar to "after some time", but with a slightly more formal tone.

a period of time elapsed

A more formal and lengthy way to express the passage of time.

with the passage of time

Highlights the effect of time passing on a situation or event.

in due course

Implies that time must pass before something can happen or be revealed.

eventually

Suggests that something happened after an unspecified amount of time.

in the fullness of time

Suggests that something will happen when the time is right or after a significant period.

FAQs

How can I use "a while went by" in a sentence?

You can use "a while went by" to indicate that some time has passed before something else occurred. For example: "A while went by, and then the phone rang."

What are some alternatives to "a while went by"?

Alternatives include "some time passed", "after some time", or "eventually", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a while went by" or "some time elapsed"?

"Some time elapsed" is generally considered more formal than "a while went by". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

Can "a while went by" be used to start a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "a while went by" might sound slightly awkward. Consider rephrasing for a smoother flow, such as "After a while went by..."