for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an extended but finite period of time, for example: "I went for a walk for a while to clear my head".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For a while he….

The New Yorker

For a while anyway.

The New York Times - Magazine

For a while.

The New York Times

— It's just for a while.

The New Yorker

She temped for a while.

The New York Times

We talked for a while.

Forbes

Not for a while, no.

The New Yorker

For a while, he succeeds.

The New York Times

For a while, try decades.

Independent

That worked — for a while.

The New York Times

For a while, that is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a while" to indicate a temporary situation or action, providing a sense of impermanence without specifying an exact timeframe. For example: "I lived in New York for a while after graduation."

Common error

Avoid using "awhile" when you mean "for a while". "Awhile" is an adverb and should not be preceded by "for". Instead, use "for a while" (two words) when indicating a duration of time. For example: Incorrect: "I waited awhile". Correct: "I waited for a while".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a while" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a temporary duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its purpose is to express that an action or state is happening or will happen for a certain period, which is not permanent. This phrase sees common usage across different platforms, especially on "News & Media". When using "for a while", remember to avoid confusing it with "awhile" and consider contextually appropriate alternatives like "temporarily" or "for a short period".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For a short period

Emphasizes the brevity of the duration.

For a limited time

Highlights a defined endpoint or restriction on the duration.

Temporarily

A single-word adverb conveying the same meaning of a non-permanent state.

For the time being

Implies a situation that will likely change in the future, making it less definitive.

For now

Indicates a present condition without specifying a future duration.

Briefly

Highlights a very short duration, shorter than "for a while".

For a spell

Uses a more informal and less precise measure of time.

For a season

Implies a longer duration, connected with a period of time which might be related to seasonality.

Momentarily

Highlights something that happens or exists only for a moment.

Just for the moment

Highlights an action that happens just in a specific short duration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "for a while" indicates a temporary period. Example: "I plan to stay in Europe "for a while" before returning home".

What are some alternatives to "for a while"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "temporarily", "for the time being", or "for a short period" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "awhile" instead of "for a while"?

"Awhile" is an adverb meaning 'for a time', but it's not interchangeable with "for a while". You wouldn't say "I stayed awhile" you can say "I stayed for a while" but not "I stayed for awhile".

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

"For a moment" indicates a very short time, while ""for a while"" suggests a longer, less specific duration. For instance, "I paused for a moment" implies a brief pause, whereas "I paused "for a while"" indicates a more extended pause.