continuing for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or state that persists for a certain duration of time. Example: "The meeting will be continuing for a while, so please be patient as we discuss all the topics on the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A tight ship-supply situation, which is seen continuing for a while, helps their profit margins.

Forbes

Broadly speaking, a middle ground approach is to anticipate rain arriving overnight and into the morning (= green track), mostly clearing away to the east before midday but with potential for some lighter showery outbreaks continuing for a while into the afternoon.

BBC

With the cold and snow continuing for a while, it's a good idea to try and squeeze in something good for you.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This flirtation continues for a while.

The New Yorker

They continue for a while.

Yale University

And this may continue for a while.

The New York Times

Expect the rumblings to continue for a while yet.

The Economist

Still, big bank purchases may continue for a while.

The New York Times

The carousel of speculation could continue for a while yet.

Independent

The correspondence continued for a while and then petered out.

The New Yorker

The debate is likely to continue for a while.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continuing for a while", consider the context to ensure the level of formality matches your intended audience. While generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "persisting for some time" or "lasting for a period".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on vague timeframes like "a while" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your expressions with more specific durations or alternative phrases to enhance clarity and precision. For instance, use phrases like "several weeks", "the next few months", or "in the foreseeable future".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing for a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration of an action or state. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies its use in various contexts to express that something will persist for a period of time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continuing for a while" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English used to describe an action or state that is expected to last for some time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, while also suggesting more formal options like "persisting for some time". The phrase has neutral register and is considered suitable for a wide range of contexts. While considered valid, the phrase is relatively infrequent and used mostly in News and Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persisting for some time

Replaces "a while" with the more formal "some time" and uses the verb "persisting" which emphasizes ongoing existence or effect.

lasting for a period

Substitutes "continuing" with "lasting" and "a while" with "a period", altering the verb and noun for a slightly more formal tone.

remaining in effect for a duration

Uses "remaining in effect" to convey continuation and specifies "a duration" instead of the less precise "a while".

carrying on for some time

Employs the phrasal verb "carrying on" instead of "continuing", which can imply persistence or resilience.

enduring for a period

Uses the verb "enduring" to imply that something is lasting, even if with difficulty or resistance, and uses "a period" for greater formality.

going on for a bit

Replaces "a while" with the more colloquial "a bit", making the phrase less formal.

protracting for a while

Replaces "continuing" with the more formal verb "protracting", suggesting a drawn-out or prolonged duration.

extending for a duration

Emphasizes the stretching or lengthening of time, implying that something is actively being prolonged.

dragging on for a while

Suggests a negative connotation, implying that something is continuing for longer than desired.

holding on for a while

Emphasizes resilience/survival, implying something persists perhaps unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "continuing for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "continuing for a while" to describe an action or state that is expected to persist for some time. For example, "The effects of the new policy will be "continuing for a while"." or "The cold weather is expected to be "continuing for a while"."

What are some alternatives to "continuing for a while"?

Alternatives to "continuing for a while" include "lasting for some time", "persisting for a period", or "remaining in effect", depending on the context and level of formality desired.

Is "continuing for a while" formal or informal?

"Continuing for a while" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both casual and professional communication. However, for more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "lasting for a certain duration" or "persisting for an extended period".

What's the difference between "continuing for a while" and "going on for a while"?

Both phrases indicate that something is expected to last for some time, but "going on for a while" is slightly more informal than "continuing for a while". The choice between them depends on the desired level of formality in your writing or speech.