during the next while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the next while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time that will occur in the near future, often implying a duration that is not precisely defined. Example: "I will be focusing on my studies during the next while to prepare for the upcoming exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Long Island City, Queens, should be a destination for followers of contemporary art during the next while, as exhibitions have just opened at both of its premier art spaces.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The easiest way of acquiring more tier-one assets to exploit during the next boom, while stripping out costs into the bargain, may be the revival of the mega-merger.

The Economist

In that case, Republicans could block appointees the industry considered hostile at the Treasury, as well as at the S.E.C. and C.F.T.C. Nominees for two of the five commissioner's seats at the S.E.C. will require approval by the Senate during the next session, while the term of one commissioner at the five-member C.F.T.C. expires.

The New York Times

Eight states, mostly in the southern and western US, will add congressional seats during the next election, while many states in the north-east and mid-west will suffer loses in 2012.

BBC

Once the enemy were located, the regiment kept patrols in contact with them overnight and all during the next day while the Turks withdrew to Negilia.

Wikipedia

The disturbance initially moved towards the southeast before it recurved and started to move towards the southwest and Fiji during the next day, while gradually developing further in an area of low vertical windshear.

Wikipedia

Assuming the level of exogenous stress remains constant, a normative response to orally administered dexamethasone the night before leads to a profound decrease in cortisol levels during the next day, while incomplete levels of suppression or early escape from suppression indicate dysregulation within the HPA axis's negative feedback mechanism (e.g., Burke et al. 2005; Nicolson 2008).

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

The Maronites, strongly pro-French by tradition, welcomed this, and during the next 20 years, while France held the mandate, the Maronites were favoured.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Participants in the experimental group were asked to commit to spending their endowment on others during the next 4 weeks, while participants in the control group were asked to commit to spending their endowment on themselves.

Nature

The pressures on G.M will become greater shortly because dealers will run out of 1971 models during the next few weeks while Ford and Chry sler are still at full production.

The New York Times

More than two-thirds thought older people's overall quality of life would get worse during the next 20 years, while three-quarters thought they would be worse off financially.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the next while" when you want to convey a sense of imminence without specifying an exact duration. It suggests a period that is relatively near but not precisely defined, implying a flexible or unfolding timeframe.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on vague phrases like "during the next while" if precision is needed. If the context requires a more specific timeframe, consider using more explicit references such as "in the next few weeks" or "by the end of the month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the next while" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying a timeframe. It indicates that an action or state will occur within a certain period in the near future. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the next while" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that indicates a timeframe in the near future. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often employed to express that something will occur over a relatively short, indefinite period. Although its frequency is rare, the phrase appears in various contexts such as news articles, wikis, and scientific publications. While versatile, "during the next while" is more suited to neutral or informal settings due to its lack of precision. For more formal contexts, it's advisable to use more specific alternatives. Remember to be mindful of context when using temporal phrases to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the near future

Focuses on the immediacy of the time frame, omitting a specific duration.

in the coming period

Emphasizes a period of time that is approaching.

over the foreseeable period

Highlights the predictability of the time frame.

for the time to come

Focuses on future time without defining its exact length.

in the subsequent time

Highlights the sequence of time, focusing on what follows.

in the approaching time

Focuses on the sense of time drawing closer.

during the forthcoming period

Emphasizes that the time is about to happen.

over the immediate horizon

Describes a time frame that is close and easily anticipated.

in the short term

Refers to a relatively brief period in the future.

in the not-so-distant future

Highlights that the time frame is relatively close.

FAQs

How can I use "during the next while" in a sentence?

Use "during the next while" to indicate that something will occur over a relatively short, indefinite period in the future. For example, "During the next while, I plan to focus on improving my writing skills."

What phrases are similar to "during the next while"?

Similar phrases include "in the near future", "in the coming days", or "over the next few weeks". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of specificity required.

Is "during the next while" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "during the next while" is more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "in the coming months" or "in the foreseeable future".

Can "during the next while" be used to describe past events?

No, "during the next while" refers to a period starting from the present and extending into the future. To describe events in the past, use phrases like "in the recent past" or "over the last few weeks".