for a good bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a good bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant amount of time or duration, often in informal contexts. Example: "I waited for a good bit before deciding to leave the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Location accounts for a good bit of Albany's appeal.

The New York Times

For fans of other teams, the revelations were a chance for a good bit of schadenfreude.

The Guardian - Sport

She was going to the doctor for a good bit before that, of course.

The New Yorker

It climbs for a good bit along small, usually quiet roads, and it's just an awesome place to cycle.

The Guardian - Travel

I have always envied Zoe three things: her figure, her taste and her eye for a good bit of schmutter.

The Guardian - Travel

Even if the war drags on messily for a good bit longer, attention will eventually start to switch back to more domestic preoccupations.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(For once, a good bit of technical jargon).

The New York Times - Science

D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), contemplating a run for mayor, goes a good bit further than Hizzoner in expressing his dismay.

The Washington Post

Gilbert won the Yale Younger Poets competition in 1962 and a few years later left for Europe, spending a good bit of the next 20-odd years living abroad in near poverty.

The New York Times - Books

If he is capable of making 20 percent a year for his own account — a good bit more than the average hedge fund made over the last decade — and lives frugally, then 10 years later he would be worth more than $120 million.

The New York Times

The priority is of course for it to be a good bit of storytelling".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a good bit" in informal contexts to indicate a significant amount of time or extent, adding a conversational tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for a good bit" in formal or academic writing; opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "for a considerable period" or "for a significant duration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a good bit" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by specifying duration or extent. It indicates the length of time an action occurs or a state persists. Ludwig identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a good bit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that describes a considerable duration or extent, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it is best suited for informal or neutral contexts, and should be used with caution in highly formal or academic writing. Ludwig's AI analysis highlights its prevalence in News & Media and Science, indicating its broad applicability. For formal writing, consider options like "for a considerable period" or "for a significant duration".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for quite a while

Emphasizes the duration of time, similar to "for a good bit", but slightly more formal.

for a long time

A more common and direct synonym, simply indicating a lengthy period.

for a considerable period

More formal and emphasizes the significance of the time period.

for a substantial amount of time

Focuses on the amount of time, highlighting its importance.

for a significant duration

Similar to 'considerable period' but with a slightly different emphasis.

for a fair amount of time

Indicates a reasonable or moderate duration.

for a decent spell

More informal, suggesting a comfortable or adequate period.

for a good stretch

Suggests a continuous and perhaps uneventful period.

for much of the time

Focuses on the proportion of time rather than a specific duration.

for the better part of

Implies that the majority of a certain time frame was spent.

FAQs

How can I use "for a good bit" in a sentence?

You can use "for a good bit" to indicate a significant amount of time, as in "I waited "for a good bit" before deciding to leave" or "He worked on the project "for a good bit" of the afternoon".

What are some alternatives to "for a good bit"?

Alternatives include "for quite a while", "for a long time", or "for a considerable period", depending on the formality and context.

Is "for a good bit" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for a good bit" is generally considered informal. More formal options like "for a significant duration" or "for a substantial amount of time" are better suited for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "for a good bit" and "for a while"?

"For a good bit" implies a longer or more significant duration than "for a while". "For a while" can refer to a short or indefinite period, while "for a good bit" suggests a more substantial amount of time.