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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it's going to be a while

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's going to be a while," called a woman's voice.

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News & Media

The New York Times - Tech

There isn't a lot to go on, but it's going to be a while until the first teaser trailer drops so let's glean what we can!

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News & Media

Independent

"It's going to be a while".

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News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

That said, it's going to be a while before I see any return on my investment.

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News & Media

The New York Times

It's going to be a while to have all of this sink in.

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News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

"It's going to be a while," said Kama Geary, also an owner, looking sympathetic.

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News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"He's going to be a while," Mattingly said.

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News & Media

Los Angeles Times

I'm going to be a while".

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News & Media

Huffington Post

"It's going to be for a little while, anyway.

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News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

It's going to be predominantly white for a while.

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News & Media

The New York Times

"Paul's going to be out for a while.

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BBC
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's going to be a while" to set realistic expectations about timelines. For example, "The repairs are extensive; it's going to be a while before the car is ready."

Common error

Avoid using "it's going to be a while" when referring to very short time frames. This phrase suggests a more significant delay than a few minutes.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's going to be a while" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating that a certain amount of time will pass before something occurs. It modifies the implied verb by specifying the duration of the delay.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"It's going to be a while" is a common phrase used to indicate that something will take a significant amount of time. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, blogs, and casual conversations, making its register generally neutral to informal. It's best used to manage expectations about timelines, but avoid using it when referring to very short durations. Consider alternatives like "it will take some time" or "it won't be immediate" for different nuances or formal settings.

FAQs

What does "it's going to be a while" mean?

It means that a certain amount of time, likely longer than expected, will pass before something happens or is completed.

How can I use "it's going to be a while" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate a delay, such as "The investigation is complex; "it's going to be a while" before we have answers."

What can I say instead of "it's going to be a while"?

You can use alternatives like "it will take some time", "it will be a long time", or "it won't be immediate" depending on the context.

Is "it's going to be a while" formal or informal?

It is generally considered informal. For a more formal setting, consider using phrases like "a considerable period will elapse" or "the process will be lengthy".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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