in the last while

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the last while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time that has just passed, similar to phrases such as "lately" or "recently". For example, you could say, "In the last while, I've noticed an improvement in my writing skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That's the only thing that I've been talking about in the last while.

The Guardian - Sport

"In the last while, during the Maidan, we saw a lot of role models [emerge] who were women … I think that's really cool".

The Guardian

Katja Iversen, president of Women Deliver, a global advocacy group for women and girl's rights, said: "We hope when Donald Trump goes into the White House he will see things differently than he has in the last while.

The Guardian

He notes that LOI's coverage at home has "improved in the last while".

Vice

So you were in more pain in the last while?

BMC Family Practice

Actually, I don't think we've yelled very much in the last while".

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Three years later, Capirossi would take the GP6 to third in the standings, while Bayliss took his only win in MotoGP in the last round while riding as a substitute for the injured Sete Gibernau.

BBC

Kevin MacCall, the vice president of operations, listed the lack of security awareness in the last category, while Trevor Stokes, the company's chief technology officer, listed "protection of personal information" in the first category, and "Security" in the last.

The Guardian - Tech

In the last little while, BAe has been greening its image.

The Guardian

Whoever loses will face the  All Blacks in the last eight, while the winners will take on Argentina.

Independent

"There's been a general apathy of the South African public towards rugby in the last little while.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the last while" to indicate a relatively short period of time that has passed recently. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "in the last while" might sound too colloquial for formal academic or business writing. Opt for alternatives like "recently" or "in recent times" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the last while" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a timeframe. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase describes events or changes that occurred recently, adding temporal context to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the last while" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a recent period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Although it's more common in news and media contexts, its frequency is relatively uncommon overall. When writing, consider the context and audience, as more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "recently" or "lately". While perfectly acceptable, being mindful of the register ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recently

Single word substitution, more concise.

lately

Single word substitution, similar connotation.

in recent times

Rephrasing with a slightly more formal tone.

over the past period

More descriptive, indicating a duration.

in the recent past

Emphasis on the past, slightly more formal.

during the previous interval

More technical, suitable for formal contexts.

in the preceding time

Highlights the sequence, more formal.

of late

Archaic phrasing, less commonly used.

in the interim

Focuses on a period between events.

for a while now

Indicates a continuation from the past to the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the last while" to describe events or changes that have occurred recently. For example, "In the last while, I've been focusing on improving my coding skills".

What phrases are similar to "in the last while"?

Alternatives include "recently", "lately", or "in recent times". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "in the last while" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in the last while" may be considered informal for certain academic or business contexts. More formal options like "in recent times" or "recently" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "in the last while" and "recently"?

"Recently" is a more concise and versatile option that fits well in both formal and informal contexts. "In the last while" can add a slightly more conversational tone but might be less appropriate in formal settings.