for a small while

USAGE SUMMARY

"for a small while" is a correct and usable phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "I stayed home and rested for a small while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So one might expect Tate Liverpool to linger over Tenniel for a small while at least.

The Guardian - Books

The advance was enough for me to quit freelancing for a small while to focus on the book.

The Guardian - Books

To our surprise, it was open for business and we were welcomed by staff grateful to take their minds off the day, even for a small while.

Huffington Post

Always check with your parents/guardians if it is ok to make a racket for a small while.

WikiHow

Depending on how close you are to the full moon you'll still get bad luck for a small while but if you use the mirror to reflect the full moon and gaze into it, it nullifies the bad luck.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A Tupperware is perfect for a small piece, while a kiddie pool covered in a drop cloth works great for large cookies.

WikiHow

The Conjurer, by Hieronymus Bosch, depicts a medieval magician performing for a small crowd, while pickpockets steal the spectators' belongings.

The Guardian

It's the sort of complex tax engineering that will pay off for a small minority while most of the population remains oblivious.

The New Yorker

Earnings missed analyst expectations for a small profit, while revenue came in just ahead of estimates.

Forbes

Appropriately enough it was for a small audience, while most people flocked to a panel about China.

TechCrunch

The power of these tests also depends on sample size, and the R2 test is more powerful for a small sample while Fs is more powerful for a large sample [ 41].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a small while" when you want to emphasize a limited duration, suggesting a temporary or brief action or state. It adds a touch of formality that alternatives like "for a bit" might lack.

Common error

Avoid using "for a small while" when you actually mean "for a short while". While similar, "short" directly refers to duration, whereas "small" might be interpreted as referring to the significance rather than the length of the time period. "Short while" is generally more common and clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a small while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the duration of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct phrase that describes a temporary period.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a small while" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that specifies a short duration of time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it can be used to describe a temporary action or state. While generally neutral, its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily occurring in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, consider whether "short" might be clearer than "small" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "for a brief period" and "for a short time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a brief period

Emphasizes the limited duration using "brief" instead of "small".

for a short time

Replaces "while" with the more common "time", maintaining the same meaning.

for a little bit

Uses more informal language to express a short duration.

momentarily

Condenses the phrase into a single adverb indicating a very short time.

for a fleeting moment

Highlights the transient nature of the duration, adding a sense of impermanence.

for a short spell

Replaces "while" with "spell", suggesting a limited and often indefinite period.

for a quick minute

Specifies a very short duration using "quick minute".

for a tiny duration

Emphasizes the shortness of the time using "tiny".

just for a second

Pinpoints an extremely brief moment in time.

for a split second

Indicates an almost instantaneous duration.

FAQs

What does "for a small while" mean?

The phrase "for a small while" indicates a short duration or period of time, suggesting something that is temporary or not lasting long. It is often used to describe a brief action or state.

What can I say instead of "for a small while"?

You can use alternatives like "for a brief period", "for a short time", or "momentarily" depending on the context.

Is "for a small while" formal or informal?

The phrase "for a small while" is generally considered neutral in tone. It is neither overly formal nor particularly informal, making it suitable for a variety of contexts.

How do I use "for a small while" in a sentence?

You can use "for a small while" to describe an action or state that occurs briefly, such as "I decided to rest "for a small while" before continuing my work".