even for a little while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even for a little while" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "I know it's difficult, but can you please try to stay focused even for a little while longer?" This sentence is asking the person to continue to concentrate for a short period of time. Another example: "I don't mind waiting in line, but even for a little while, it can be frustrating." This sentence expresses the speaker's feelings about waiting for a short amount of time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

She needed something to take her mind off the hell she was in, even for a little while.

The New York Times - Arts

I love the way Henderson gets at that in her book, the way that a music scene can feel, even for a little while, like a different world.

The New York Times - Books

I want to climb the scaffolding and kiss him and tell him I'm glad to be back here, even for a little while.

The New York Times

If your bike may be parked outdoors, even for a little while, get a heavy lock that is not easily clipped.

The New York Times

This is the sort of thing that I suspect we will decide in the very last minute, because if you love animals and have to leave them, even for a little while, there's no simple way to figure it out.

The New Yorker

But if the stock unexpectedly increases in value, even for a little while, the investor must either place additional collateral in the margin account to cover the difference or buy back the shorted stock and return it to the broker.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"But if you leave, even for just a little while, and then come back, you kind of have a little piece of magic about you," he said.

The New York Times

All because, when the game is right – when it really goes right – it is beautiful enough, even for just a little while, to let us forget everything else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every minute counts, which is why you cant afford to have your website go down or be slow, even for just a little while.

TechCrunch

Whatever happens, we'll have Greendale's Human Beings back, even for just a little while.

Huffington Post

It's a vacation to a place where I can fix the unfixable, even for just a little while.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even for a little while" to add emphasis when you want to highlight the brevity of an action or state. It's particularly effective in contrasting situations, emphasizing that something happens or matters despite its short duration.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "even for a little while" excessively in formal documents. Opt for more concise alternatives like "temporarily" or "briefly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even for a little while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the limited duration of an action or state. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing temporary relief or a fleeting experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even for a little while" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a short or temporary duration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage in contexts ranging from news articles to informal writing. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal registers, with alternatives available for more formal settings. It's often employed to highlight a small or temporary benefit or change, adding emphasis to the brevity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a little bit

A more colloquial way to express a short period.

for a short time

A more straightforward and common way to express a limited duration.

just for a bit

An informal way to indicate a brief duration.

for a brief period

Emphasizes the shortness of the time span more directly.

temporarily

Suggests a condition or state that is not permanent.

momentarily

Focuses on the fleeting nature of the event or state.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transience and quick passage of time.

for a split second

Highlights an extremely short duration, almost instantaneous.

for a small duration

More formal, focusing on the limited extent of time.

in the short term

Implies a focus on immediate or near-future effects or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "even for a little while" in a sentence?

You can use "even for a little while" to emphasize the short duration of an action or state, such as in "She needed something to take her mind off the hell she was in, "even for a little while"".

What's the difference between "even for a little while" and "just for a little while"?

The phrases are very similar, but "even for a little while" often carries a stronger sense of surprise or disbelief that something could occur, no matter how briefly, while "just for a little while" is a more neutral statement of brief duration.

What can I say instead of "even for a little while"?

Alternatives include "for a short time", "temporarily", or "briefly", depending on the context.

Is "even for a little while" formal or informal?

The phrase leans towards being informal but is widely accepted in news articles and general writing. For highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "for a brief period".