in a while now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a while now" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed or will pass before something happens. Example: "I haven't seen her in a while now, and I hope she's doing well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I haven't been fronting a band in a while now.

The New York Times

"I haven't let mine out in a while now," he said.

The New York Times

I go every once in a while now, out of curiosity".

The New Yorker

Maybe we could skip it once in a while, now you're five?" "No way Jose".

The Guardian - Books

But Shelly hasn't closed a sale in a while now, and if he doesn't make one soon he's going to be out of a job.

The New York Times

He remembers that he and another boy were going on a bicycle jaunt with their BB guns, and Allie asked to come along, and Holden wouldn't let him: So once in a while, now, when I get very depressed, I keep saying to him, "Okay.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

We've been in Kenya a while now and the place is teeming with wildlife.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We've had him in for a while now.

BBC

Yet the emotional state UK dance music has been stuck in for a while now is a distinctly British version.

Vice

Even though the tweet has since been deleted, we bet the Jazz have been holding that animosity in for a while now.

Huffington Post

We had been hearing different reports of a deal in progress or a while now — resulting in a stay of execution for both Winamp and Shoutcast after AOL originally intended to shut them both down by December 20 , 2013

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a while now" to indicate a duration where a situation has persisted or an action hasn't occurred for a noticeable period. For a more formal tone, consider using "for some time now".

Common error

Avoid using "in a while now" with future tenses. This phrase is best suited for past or present perfect tenses to reflect a duration that has already passed. Instead of saying 'I will see them in a while now,' it's more appropriate to say 'I haven't seen them in a while now'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a while now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating duration. It specifies the length of time that has passed since an action occurred or a condition has been true. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a while now" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase that indicates a duration of time. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed or will pass before something happens. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, it can be used in various settings. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "for some time now". Be mindful of using the correct tense to accurately reflect the duration you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for some time now

Indicates a duration of time that has been ongoing; slightly more formal.

for quite some time

Highlights the length of the duration, making it sound longer.

for a period now

Emphasizes the duration but is less common in everyday speech.

in recent times

Focuses on the recent past, implying the period is not excessively long.

over the past period

Focuses on the duration of time that has been ongoing.

lately

Implies something has been happening or not happening recently.

in recent memory

Highlights that the timeframe is within what can be easily remembered.

as of late

A more formal way of saying lately, indicating a recent period.

for the time being

Suggests the current situation will continue for an unspecified duration.

for a stretch now

Informal way of indicating a continuous period of time.

FAQs

What does the phrase "in a while now" mean?

The phrase "in a while now" means that some time has passed since something happened or since you last did something. It's used to indicate a duration of time.

What are some alternatives to "in a while now"?

Some alternatives to "in a while now" include "for some time now", "for a period now", or "lately", depending on the context.

How do I use "in a while now" in a sentence?

You can use "in a while now" to indicate a period that has passed. For example, "I haven't seen him in a while now", or "She's been working on that project in a while now".

Is "in a while now" formal or informal?

"In a while now" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly informal phrase. For more formal situations, consider using "for some time now".