after a short while

USAGE SUMMARY

"after a short while" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a period of time that has passed since something else, for example: "After a short while, the storm had passed and the sun came out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a short while, he got a decisive beep.

The New Yorker

After a short while, I suggested we turn back.

The Guardian - Books

It simply becomes irritating after a short while.

The Guardian - Books

But after a short while, she too lost any inhibitions.

The New York Times - Travel

After a short while Mairead Philpott spoke to the emergency services.

The Guardian

Which, after a short while, is not usually compatible with life".

The Guardian - Sport

Then they tried to donate supplies, but after a short while that wasn't really needed.

The New York Times - Arts

After a short while, Mr. Portnoy paused at a dark boulder and slowly inspected it.

The New York Times - Arts

After a short while, the police called in a search team.

The New York Times - Sports

But after a short while working in the field, he realized he was meant to be a teacher.

University of California, Berkeley

After a short while freelancing you'll get a feel for which projects to embrace and which to turn down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after a short while" to clearly indicate a brief duration between two events, enhancing clarity and flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "after a short while" interchangeably with phrases like "immediately" or "instantaneously". "After a short while" implies a brief, but noticeable, passage of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a short while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a short while" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate a brief period of time between events. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and general writing contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules. Alternatives like "shortly afterwards" or "soon after" can be used for variety, but it's important to maintain the implied duration of a brief but noticeable time passage. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a short time

Mirrors the original phrase closely but with a slightly more formal tone.

after a brief period

Formalizes the notion of a short duration, suitable for academic or professional settings.

soon after

Highlights the quickness of the subsequent event, implying minimal delay.

shortly afterwards

Focuses on the immediate succession of events, emphasizing the reduced time span.

a little later

Emphasizes a minor delay; more casual in tone.

after a few minutes

Specifies the duration more precisely, using 'minutes' as the unit of time.

in a little bit

Uses more colloquial language and suggests imminence.

before long

Expresses that something will happen relatively quickly.

in due course

Implies a natural progression of events over a somewhat unspecified time.

presently

Indicates that something will occur soon, but is slightly archaic.

FAQs

What does "after a short while" mean?

The phrase "after a short while" indicates that a brief period of time has passed since a previous action or event.

How can I use "after a short while" in a sentence?

For example: "After a short while, the rain stopped and the sun came out".

What are some alternatives to "after a short while"?

You can use alternatives like "shortly afterwards", "soon after", or "a little later" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "after a short while" and "immediately"?

Yes, "after a short while" implies a brief duration, while "immediately" suggests no time has passed at all.