for the last while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the last while" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is used to refer to a period of time that has recently ended or that is still ongoing. For example: "We haven't seen each other for the last while, but it feels like nothing's changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Each awards ceremony is acting as consolation prize for the last, while dissing the favorite of the next.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, they have been as rock-steady as Prince Buster in the league for the last while, having lost only once since the defeat to Chelsea in mid-January and with only Manchester United taking as many points from their past six games.

The Guardian - Sport

The culprits for the first and third are thought by many to have been major earthquakes (with perhaps climate change for the last), while the collapse of the New Palace civilisation in the middle of the second millennium BC is widely thought to have been caused by the eruption of the nearby volcanic island of Thera.

The Guardian - Books

For the last while, we didn't have any.

BBC

Although I've been dabbling with naturism myself for the last while, I was unclear what would impress at a party like that... though I was determined to find out.

Vice

I just don't feel like we can move so quickly from the pixie-dust mood that has been foregrounded for the last while directly to a hardcore teen-girl-gang mood.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Furthermore, costs of chronic diseases are likely to be underestimated, since we only possess in-depth cost information for the last visit, while 31% of respondents reported to have received medical help more than once during the last month.

BMC Health Services Research

While the gesture wasn't birthed in North America it has assuredly become its home for the last little while.

Vice

The childhood friend of Anne Frank has spoken of how she saw the teenager for the last time while they were both imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen.

Independent

They should read him much later," says Sergei Yevtushenko, who composed the much-acclaimed soundtrack for The Last Station while in London.

The Guardian - Books

But the difficulty was that I had only known him for the last minutes while the surgeon presumably knew him better and had thought him fit for the procedure he was about to have.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the last while" when you want to indicate that a situation has been ongoing for a noticeable but unspecified recent period, without committing to a precise duration.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "for the last while" in contexts where a more specific timeframe (e.g., "for the last three months") would provide clarity and strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the last while" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying the duration of an action or state leading up to the present moment. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in indicating recent, ongoing situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the last while" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's employed to describe a period that has recently concluded or remains ongoing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase indicates a duration of time, providing recency without demanding specificity. While useful, remember to consider if a more precise timeframe would better serve clarity in your writing. Related phrases like "lately" or "recently" can serve as alternatives, depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lately

Implies a more general period without a specific endpoint.

recently

Focuses on the nearness of the time period to the present.

in recent times

Adds a slightly more formal tone to the timeframe.

for some time now

Indicates a duration extending up to the present, potentially longer than "for the last while".

since then

A simpler, more direct way to indicate the passage of time from a specific point.

over the past period

Emphasizes the 'past' nature and that it is a measurable amount of time.

in recent weeks

Specifies the time period to the scale of weeks, creating a more precise but limited scope.

over recent months

Expands timeframe to months, indicating a medium-term duration.

during the preceding interval

More formal, suitable for technical or academic writing.

in the time since then

Refers back to a specific event, marking duration from that event onward.

FAQs

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

You can use "for the last while" to indicate an action or situation that has been ongoing recently, as in "I've been feeling under the weather "for the last while"".

What phrases are similar to "for the last while"?

Similar phrases include "recently", "lately", or "for some time now". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use a precise time frame instead of "for the last while"?

While "for the last while" is acceptable, using a precise time frame like "for the last few weeks" or "for the last month" often adds clarity and specificity to your writing.

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

"For the last while" indicates a period leading up to the present, while "in a while" suggests a period of time in the future or a general indefinite period, as in "I haven't seen them "in a while"".