for the nonce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the nonce" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is done or true only for the present moment or a specific occasion. For example, "The board has agreed to postpone the meeting for the nonce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For the nonce.

The New Yorker

But credulity, for the nonce, feels so much better.

The New Yorker

Tell all my friends that for the nonce.

The New Yorker

By James Thurber The New Yorker, April 23 , 1938P. 19 Tell all my friends that for the nonce View Article By John Cassidy By Kathryn Schulz By Adam Davidson By Robin Wright.

The New Yorker

The sea hath fish for every man, And what would you have more?" Thus did my mistress once Amaze my mind with doubt; And popped a question for the nonce To beat my brains about.

The Guardian - Books

A sepia-tone image of Jas in a fringed vest, his Wild Bill Hickok goatee graying, and the message "I'm back in N.Y.C., and, for the nonce, this is what I'm doing".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For the utility, however, these are indistinguishable from the nonce.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The configuration operation mode is slower if using CAESAR candidates because the cryptographic key and nonce have 128 bits instead of the 60 bits of the key and 32 bits of the nonce in HMAC.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Note that is included in the signature instead of the nonce supplied by the control station.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The only purpose of the nonce here is to prevent repeated sending of identical plaintexts from generating the same ciphertext.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

In a police interview, McLoughlin told officers: "I'm not sorry for what I did to the nonce, but I'm sorry for what I did to the pensioner".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the nonce" when you want to clearly indicate that a situation or decision is only temporary and likely to change.

Common error

Avoid using "for the nonce" excessively in modern writing, as it can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "for now" or "temporarily" in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the nonce" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is true or applicable only temporarily. Ludwig's examples show it used to qualify situations that are expected to change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the nonce" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase that means "for the time being" or "temporarily". As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that a situation is not permanent and is expected to change. While correct, its usage is relatively uncommon compared to simpler alternatives. It's more frequently found in news and media contexts than in everyday conversation. Therefore, while perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing to use this phrase. Ludwig's examples and related phrases can help you determine whether it's the most appropriate choice for your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the time being

Focuses on the temporal aspect, highlighting that the situation is temporary.

temporarily

A more concise adverb expressing the same idea of a short-term situation.

pro tem

A Latin abbreviation signifying "for the time being", suitable for formal contexts.

for now

Implies the current state is subject to change in the near future.

in the interim

Highlights the intervening period between two events or states.

for the moment

Similar to "for now", emphasizing the present time.

provisionally

Suggests something is arranged or accepted subject to confirmation.

on a temporary basis

More verbose but clearly indicates the impermanent nature of the situation.

as a stopgap measure

Emphasizes the use of something as a temporary solution until a better one is found.

ad interim

Another Latin term similar to "pro tem", often used in official or administrative contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "for the nonce" in a sentence?

Use "for the nonce" to indicate a temporary state or action. For example: "We'll use this smaller office "for the nonce", until the larger one is renovated."

What does "for the nonce" mean?

It means "for the time being" or "for now", implying that the current situation is temporary and subject to change.

What can I say instead of "for the nonce"?

You can use alternatives like "for the time being", "temporarily", or "for now" depending on the context.

Is "for the nonce" formal or informal?

While not strictly formal, "for the nonce" leans towards a slightly more elevated or literary register than simpler alternatives like "for now".