for a good while now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a good while now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been happening for an extended period of time up to the present moment. Example: "I have been working on this project for a good while now, and I feel it's finally coming together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He's been gone for a good while now".

The New Yorker

Tiger hasn't dominated Augusta for a good while now, but he did place fourth in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

The New Yorker

The market has been looking frothy for a good while now, and a substantial fall was inevitable at some point.

The New Yorker

"For a good while now, Napa's specialty has been high-end wine, and that business has fallen off a cliff," he said.

The New York Times - Food

The annual Vlad the Bad Christmas Special at the Kremlin has been running for a good while now, and it always draws a big crowd.

The New Yorker

The apparently unquenchable thirst for three-dimensional encounters with authors has been around for a good while now, of course, and continues to grow.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Murray has always had the raw talent – we have seen it out there for a good while – but now everything is properly in place around him and, man, is he thriving on it.

Independent

Romplr: Remix [Android] This app has been in the iTunes Store for a good while but now it's finally making its Android debut.

Vice

I held on to this one for a good while, but now I make two dinners each night like every other parent on earth -- one for myself and my husband and one for my picky daughter.

Huffington Post

We were talking for a good while".

The Guardian - Sport

Not for a good while yet!

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a good while now" to indicate that something has been ongoing for a noticeable and significant period, emphasizing its continued presence or effect.

Common error

Avoid using "for a good while now" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "for some time" or "for a long period" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a good while now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. It adds emphasis to the length of time, implying a noticeable or significant period.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a good while now" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a significant duration of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to emphasize the ongoing nature of a situation or action. While versatile, varying your language with alternatives may enhance writing quality. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources underscores its reliability as a means of expressing duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a long while now

Slightly shorter and more casual alternative.

for quite some time now

Implies a slightly longer or more significant duration than the original phrase.

for a significant time now

Highlights the importance or impact of the duration.

for a considerable period now

More formal and emphasizes the length of the time period.

for a substantial duration now

Similar to "for a considerable period now", but with a slightly more emphatic tone.

for an extended duration now

Similar to "for a considerable period now", but with a slightly more technical feel.

for a respectable period now

Similar to "for a significant time now", but also indicates a sense of tradition or credibility.

for a long stretch of time now

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the time period.

for many years now

Specifically refers to a duration of multiple years.

for ages now

More informal and hyperbolic, suggesting a very long time.

FAQs

How can I use "for a good while now" in a sentence?

You can use "for a good while now" to describe an action or state that has been ongoing for a significant duration. For example, "I've been working on this project "for a good while now", and I'm finally seeing results."

What are some alternatives to "for a good while now"?

You can use alternatives like "for quite some time", "for a long time", or "for a considerable period depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "for a good while now" in formal or informal settings?

"For a good while now" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives like "for a significant duration" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

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

"For a good while now" implies a longer and more significant duration than simply "for a while". The addition of "good" emphasizes the length of time.