for a reasonable while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a reasonable while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of time that is considered fair or acceptable in a given context. Example: "We should wait for a reasonable while before making any decisions about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He ought to hear the man out for a reasonable while, then turn and walk away.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As a result, she had to develop shelf-stable recipes that could be manufactured in big batches for a reasonable cost, while also avoiding ingredients such as sulfites and high fructose corn syrup that wouldn't be welcome at some specialty food stores.

Los Angeles Times

Our goal was to obtain IAA for a reasonable amount of papers, while ensuring at least three annotators per paper, so as to minimize the chance of random agreements.

Bioinformatics

Bryan is one of the only winemakers keeping his prices for To-Kalon Cab reasonable, while most others are still charging between $100 and $300.

Huffington Post

Predictions for F. proliferatum were still reasonable, while those for F. verticillioides were the worst, although slightly better than the predictions shown in Fig.  5.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Also, it is quite reasonable to suppose that, in some situations, depending on drug regimen and how experienced the patient is, an empirical switch of a failing antiretroviral treatment could be a reasonable option while waiting for genotyping result.

BioMed Research International

"This balances the concerns of the vast majority of people coming here to protest peacefully," he said recently, while "providing for a reasonable expectation of safety for the delegates and the convention guests".

The New York Times

By not filing criminal charges, the government got a lower burden of proof — preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt — while the potential for a $5 billion fine provides punishment as severe as any criminal case against a corporation could.

The New York Times

Here's where dividends help: When a stock pays them, the quarterly payments may be small, but they give you a reasonable return while you wait for the long-term gains.

Forbes

This keeps the number of ABF to a reasonable number, while still being useful for scheduling.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Detaining individuals for months while they wait for a "reasonable fear" determination is not only in violation of the immigration laws, but is also costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to wait or consider something, use "for a reasonable while" to suggest a duration that isn't excessively long, showing consideration for their time and needs.

Common error

While alternatives like "for a considerable duration" exist, "for a reasonable while" strikes a balance between formality and approachability, making it suitable for diverse contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a reasonable while" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage and provides examples of its application in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a reasonable while" is a grammatically sound and understandable prepositional phrase used to indicate a fair or acceptable duration of time. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources categorizes it as having a neutral to slightly informal tone, suitable for diverse contexts. Its frequency is uncommon, and while alternative phrases exist for varying levels of formality, the phrase remains versatile and valuable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a fair duration

Emphasizes the impartiality and justice of the time period.

for a suitable period

Focuses on the appropriateness and adequacy of the length of time.

for a considerable time

Highlights the notability and significance of the duration.

for an acceptable length of time

Stresses the permissibility and tolerability of the duration.

for a justifiable duration

Focuses on the reasonability and defensibility of the period.

for a decent interval

Implies a socially or ethically acceptable delay or pause.

for a reasonable time frame

Highlights the duration as a span of time with a start and end.

within a reasonable timeframe

Slightly changes the structure while maintaining the meaning of a fair duration.

for a judicious period

Emphasizes the good judgement and wisdom in allowing a specific duration.

for a span of time

Offers a more general way to express a duration, lacking specific evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "for a reasonable while" to suggest a period that is fair or acceptable in a given situation. For example: "We should wait "for a reasonable while" before making any decisions."

What's a more formal alternative to "for a reasonable while"?

More formal alternatives include "for a suitable period" or "for a considerable time", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "for a reasonable while" and "in a reasonable time"?

"For a reasonable while" refers to a duration, whereas "in a reasonable time" suggests that something will occur within an acceptable timeframe. They are not interchangeable.

What does "reasonable" mean in "for a reasonable while"?

In the context of "for a reasonable while", "reasonable" means fair, appropriate, or justifiable. It suggests a duration that is neither too short nor too long, considering the circumstances.