all these while

USAGE SUMMARY

"all these while" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a period of time up to the present day. Example sentence: All these while, I've been trying to make ends meet.

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For all these, while one salient kind of motive involves longing for pleasure or pleasant things, people also have other ultimate goals.

SEP

I can do all these while I travel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All the while, these state-of-the-art facilities were being built, employing hundreds of Palestinian workers.

The New York Times

All the while, these commands occur when the horse is up on the bridle and waiting for a command.

The New York Times

And all the while these idealized photos of the perfect American family were piling up all over our house.

HuffPost

All the while, these politicians have been diligently looking out for the priorities of corporate lobbyists and Wall Street.

Huffington Post

All the while, these individuals failed to experience themselves as a person of value just for being themselves.

Huffington Post

All the while, these uncertainties and the reparations from the Yom Kippur War polished the sheen on the Shoah.

Wikipedia

People stop cars, pose loved ones, and snap photos of these bridges, all the while cooing.

The New York Times

And all the while, for these increasingly tiny intervals, there is a corresponding rise, also increasingly tiny.

The Washington Post

A new order will have to accommodate all these strands while bringing Afghan law more in line with international conventions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all these while", ensure that the context clearly indicates a continuous period during which multiple events or conditions are present.

Common error

Avoid using "all these while" when you intend to express a causal relationship. Phrases like "because of these" or "due to these" are more appropriate for indicating cause and effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all these while" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating duration. It sets the temporal context for concurrent events or states. Ludwig examples show it used to describe a period when multiple conditions are present.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all these while" is an acceptable, albeit less common, way to express a continuous period during which certain events or conditions persist. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While it appears in both news and scientific contexts, it's crucial to ensure its usage aligns with the intended meaning, particularly distinguishing it from causal relationships. Alternatives like "during all this time" or "throughout this period" may offer more contemporary and commonly understood alternatives. Using it effectively involves recognizing its temporal function and avoiding confusion with similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during all this time

Replaces "these while" with "this time" emphasizing a continuous period.

throughout this entire period

Emphasizes the length and completeness of the duration.

for the duration

A more concise way to refer to an entire time span.

in the meantime

Focuses on what happens during the intervening period.

simultaneously

Highlights the concurrency of events rather than the duration.

at the same time

Similar to 'simultaneously' but slightly less formal.

all along

Indicates something has been true or happening continuously.

during this period

More formal and general way to refer to a time frame.

for the time being

Implies a temporary situation existing during the period.

while all of this was happening

Expands on the original phrase to provide more detail about concurrency.

FAQs

How can I use "all these while" in a sentence?

You can use "all these while" to describe a continuous period during which certain events or conditions occur. For example: "All these while, the company struggled to stay afloat."

What's a more common way to say "all these while"?

More common alternatives include "during all this time" or "throughout this period".

Is "all these while" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "all these while" is less common in contemporary English. Ludwig indicates that its usage is acceptable, but it's essential to ensure the context supports its meaning.

What is the difference between "all these while" and "during this time"?

The phrase "during this time" is more commonly used to refer to actions, events, and states of being in a specific period.