in a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a while" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a sentence such as, "I will finish this task in a while." In this context, it means that you will finish the task at some point in the near future, but not immediately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In a while.

Independent

Only once in a while".

The New Yorker

Once in a while, anyway.

The New York Times

Make it "in a while".

The New York Times

Just once in a while.

The New York Times

Maybe once in a while.

The New York Times - Sports

But once in a while?

The New York Times

Everyone does once in a while.

The New Yorker

How often is once in a while?

The New Yorker

"I be back in a while.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Submit them once-in-a-while.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a while" to indicate an unspecified amount of time, usually in the near future, for something to occur or be completed. For instance, "I'll be there in a while" suggests you will arrive soon, but the exact time is not defined.

Common error

Avoid using "awhile" when you need a preposition. "Awhile" is an adverb, so it cannot follow prepositions like "in" or "for". The correct usage is "in a while" or "for a while", not "in awhile" or "for awhile".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action will occur. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct phrase used to express a time duration. It typically specifies that something will happen or be done at some point in the future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

41%

News & Media

35%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a while" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote an unspecified amount of time in the future. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and examples show its prevalence in diverse contexts, primarily in news, media and wiki sources. Be mindful to use "in a while" and not "awhile" when a preposition is required. Related phrases include "after a period" and "at a future time". This phrase serves to assure a future action without specifying the exact timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a future time

Formally indicates a non-specific point in the future.

in some time

Indicates an unspecified duration in the future.

after a period

Specifies a duration following an event or state.

later on

Implies a subsequent point in time, often in the same day or situation.

after a certain time

Similar to "after a period" but emphasizes a specific, though undefined, duration.

eventually

Implies that something will happen at an unspecified later date, often after some delay.

down the line

Suggests a point further in the future, often with implications of progression or planning.

after a delay

Highlights that an action or event follows a period of waiting or postponement.

in due course

Signifies that something will happen at the appropriate or expected time.

in the fullness of time

Emphasizes that something will occur when the circumstances are right, often suggesting patience.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a while" to indicate that something will happen or be done after some time. For example, "I'll call you "in a while"" means you will call the person at some point in the near future.

What's a more formal alternative to "in a while"?

While "in a while" is suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives include "subsequently", "at a later time", or "in due course", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "awhile" instead of "in a while"?

No, "awhile" is an adverb and cannot be used after a preposition. You should use "in a while" when you need a preposition. "Awhile" can be used on its own, such as in the sentence "Stay awhile".

What is the difference between "in a while" and "after a while"?

"In a while" refers to a period of time from now, suggesting something will happen in the future. "After a while" refers to a period of time that has passed, suggesting something happened or was done after that period. For instance, "I'll see you "in a while"" (future) versus "I realized the mistake "after a while"" (past).