for this while

USAGE SUMMARY

"for this while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "for the moment," "for a period of time," or "for now." For example, "I'm too busy to join you tonight, but I'm free for this while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Give Chad Pennington, the Jets' young quarterback, credit for this: While Jets teammates and coaches dismissed the succession of events last week, he said it wasn't good.

The New York Times - Sports

Campaigning for this, while implementing welfare cuts that have seen a rise in child poverty for the first time in a decade, is like Kim Jong-un enforcing mandatory recycling workshops while developing the hydrogen bomb.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seems like we developed an understanding for this while we weren't even looking, in the same way that we know when someone has an authentic conversation with you, or they're just faking with small talk.

The Washington Post

Some business models work great for this, while others that require considerable personnel may not.

Forbes

We discuss about the probable reasons for this while answering RQ2 in Section 7.2.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Municipal compost is excellent for this while seaweed extract, applied as a foliar feed, will green up your lawn.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

For now, for this short while, all is fine.

The Guardian - Travel

Some service providers charge for this - while others do not charge at all or only charge for a certain level of service.

WikiHow

Been doin this for a while.

The New Yorker

Oncologists have suspected this for a while.

The Economist

And for a while, this was true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for this while" to indicate a temporary situation or action, adding a touch of formality to your writing. It works well when setting a scene or explaining a temporary state of affairs.

Common error

Avoid using "for this while" in very informal contexts where a simpler phrase like "for now" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for this while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration or timeframe of an action or state. Ludwig identifies that it introduces a temporary aspect to the situation being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for this while" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to denote a temporary duration. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s usable in written English to mean "for the moment", "for a period of time", or "for now". While its usage is considered uncommon, appearing mainly in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, it offers a touch of formality. When using "for this while", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended tone, and explore related phrases like "for now" or "in the meantime" for alternative expressions. Remember, it's essential to avoid overuse in informal settings, and to maintain clarity and appropriateness in your writing. The authoritative sources mentioning the expression include "The Guardian" and "The New York Times".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for now

A simpler, more direct way of expressing a temporary state, similar to "for this while".

for the moment

Emphasizes the current instant, conveying a sense of immediacy similar to "for this while".

for the time being

Focuses on a temporary state, similar to "for this while" but emphasizes a current situation.

for the present

Highlights the current moment, a bit more formal than "for now" or "for this while".

for a short time

Directly indicates a limited duration, similar to "for this while" in conveying brevity.

for the interim

Emphasizes the period between events, more formal than "for this while".

in the meantime

Highlights activity occurring during a specific timeframe, similar to "for this while" but focuses on concurrent action.

in the short term

Implies a limited timeframe, often used in planning or forecasting, more specific than "for this while".

temporarily

An adverb indicating a non-permanent condition, a more concise alternative to "for this while".

in the short run

Similar to "in the short term", suggesting a limited period of consideration, slightly more informal than "in the short term".

FAQs

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

You can use "for this while" to indicate a temporary situation. For example, "For this while, let's focus on completing the initial tasks".

What's the difference between "for this while" and "for the time being"?

"For this while" and "for the time being" are similar, but "for this while" can sometimes emphasize a shorter, more immediate period than "for the time being".

Is "for this while" interchangeable with "for now"?

While similar, "for now" is generally more informal and widely used. "For this while" may add a slightly more formal or literary tone.

What are some alternatives to using "for this while" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using "in the meantime", "for the interim", or "for the present" as alternatives to "for this while", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.