in a short while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in a short while' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "after a brief period of time." For example, "We'll continue the meeting in a short while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was sworn in a short while later.

The New York Times

Andy Wilson will bring us more in a short while.

The Guardian - Sport

In a short while fourteen sat down to eat.

The Guardian - Books

In a short while, we had bright blue cells that we knew contained our transplanted chromosome.

Cornell University

I predict he's going to be top-10 in a short while".

The Guardian - Sport

In a short while our hill resembled a gigantic wedding cake.

The New York Times - Magazine

I pray to God the exalted we will see body bags in a short while.

The Washington Post

In a short while the announcement of the nominations for this year's Brit Awards will be made.

The Guardian - Music

In a short while, it will become so loud you can barely hear yourself speak, but you will not care.

The New York Times - Food

But arson was widely suspected as the cause, since multiple blazes broke out in a short while.

The New York Times

And then in a short while, he found new jobs in the colonial city for Gayatri's paternal uncle and her elder cousin.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a short while" to indicate a relatively brief period before something occurs, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. This phrase is more descriptive and can add a touch of elegance compared to simply saying "soon".

Common error

Avoid using "in a short while" when referring to a long or indefinite period. The phrase implies a noticeable but brief wait, not an extended or uncertain one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a short while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a short while" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something will happen soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and scientific writing. While synonyms like "shortly" or "soon" exist, "in a short while" provides a slightly more descriptive and nuanced alternative. Remember to use it when referring to a brief, noticeable period, and avoid applying it to extended or indefinite durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly

A shorter, more direct adverb conveying the same meaning.

soon

A simple, common adverb indicating nearness in time.

in a little bit

An informal expression for "in a short time".

in a moment

Implies a very brief duration.

in the near future

More formal and refers to a less specific timeframe.

before long

An idiomatic expression suggesting the event will occur relatively quickly.

in due course

More formal, implying that something will happen at the appropriate time.

in the fullness of time

A more literary or philosophical way to express something happening at the right time.

by and by

An archaic expression meaning eventually or after a while.

coming up soon

Indicates something will happen very close in time, even more than the others.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a short while" to indicate that something will happen soon. For example, "The movie will start "in a short while", so please take your seats."

What are some alternatives to saying "in a short while"?

You can use alternatives like "shortly", "soon", or "in a moment" depending on the context.

Is "in a short while" more formal than "soon"?

While both are acceptable in many situations, "in a short while" can be perceived as slightly more formal and descriptive compared to the simpler "soon".

Can "in a short while" be used to describe past events?

No, "in a short while" is typically used to describe events that will happen in the future, not those that have already occurred. For past events, use phrases like "a short time ago" or "recently".