for quite a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"for quite a while" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe how long something has been happening or existing. Example: He's been living in this town for quite a while.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had been for quite a while.

The New Yorker

"I hid for quite a while.

The New Yorker

She hung out for quite a while!

Princeton University

He's been suffering for quite a while.

The New York Times - Sports

This works for quite a while.

The New York Times - Magazine

Been over for quite a while.

The New Yorker

"You can live off market trends for quite a while.

The New Yorker

The feeding went on for quite a while.

The New Yorker

"We've viewed it that way for quite a while".

The New York Times

We've had you under investigation for quite a while.

The New York Times

He'll do this contentedly for quite a while.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "for quite a while" and more formal alternatives like "for a considerable period". Choose the phrasing that best matches the tone and audience.

Common error

While "for quite a while" is acceptable, avoid relying on vague timeframes excessively. If precision is possible and relevant, provide more specific details about the duration involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for quite a while" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI states that the phrase follows standard grammar rules. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to specify a non-exact, but considerable, length of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for quite a while" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate a noticeable duration of time. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules and as confirmed by the examples, it's found frequently in news and media, while also appearing in academic and science contexts. When writing, remember that while acceptable, you should avoid overusing vague timeframes, and that there are more precise alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a considerable time

Replaces "quite a while" with "a considerable time", emphasizing the substantial duration.

for a long period

Substitutes "quite a while" with "a long period", focusing on the extended duration.

for an extended duration

Replaces with a more formal tone, emphasizing the duration was extended.

for a good while

Uses "good while" instead of "quite a while", maintaining a similar informal tone.

for some time

A more concise alternative, indicating a non-specific but noticeable duration.

for a spell

An informal alternative suggesting a temporary but significant duration.

over a long haul

Suggests a duration that is not just long, but also implies effort or persistence.

for ages

An idiomatic expression indicating a very long time, often used hyperbolically.

for donkey's years

A British English idiom synonymous with "for ages", indicating a very long time.

for the longest time

Emphasizes that duration is perceived as very long, possibly longer than it actually was.

FAQs

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

Use "for quite a while" to indicate that something has been happening or lasting for a noticeable period. For example, "He lived in that city "for quite a while"".

What are some alternatives to "for quite a while"?

Alternatives include "for a considerable time", "for a long period", or "for some time", depending on the level of formality you require.

Is "for quite a while" formal or informal?

"For quite a while" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives exist, such as "for a significant duration".

Can I use "for quite a while" to describe something in the past, present, or future?

Yes, "for quite a while" can be used to describe events or states in the past, present, or future. The key is that the duration is noticeable but not precisely defined. For example, "They had been waiting "for quite a while" before the bus arrived".