it is quite a while before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is quite a while before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a significant amount of time passes before a certain event or action occurs. Example: "It is quite a while before the sun sets in the summer months, allowing us to enjoy longer evenings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is quite a while before a maid comes in to clean up, although Eric goes out to the desk to make a fuss.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was quite a while before they could get her into shape to try another experiment.

The New York Times

Three hours long, it's quite a while before we begin to piece together his life.

Huffington Post

It was quite a while before we shot, but I tried to jump on it as quickly as I could because I thought it was a great script.

Huffington Post

"It was quite a while later before other police cars and ambulances arrived".

The Guardian

No details are available just yet except that they're taking it seriously, and it'll be quite a while before it's ready.

TechCrunch

It may be quite a while before brown is the new white.

The New York Times - Tech

Even so, analysts said it would be quite a while before investors renewed their interest in Yahoo.

The New York Times

And I suspect it will be quite a while before a 3-year-old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements.

The New York Times - Sports

Though no Catholic bishop would suggest that women lack souls, it will be quite a while before a female bishop denounces Spain's Parliament.

The New York Times

But it will be quite a while before CMGI cmgi searches under AltaVista and finds profits.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is quite a while before" to indicate a significant delay between a present moment and a future event. This phrase is suitable when emphasizing that the event will not occur soon.

Common error

Avoid using "it is quite a while before" when you simply mean something happened earlier. This phrase emphasizes duration until a future event, not past occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is quite a while before" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a duration of time that must pass prior to a subsequent event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is quite a while before" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that a significant amount of time will pass before something happens. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, mainly in news, wiki and scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with future events requiring a considerable waiting period. For less formal situations, alternatives such as "it will take a while" or "it will be some time" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will be some time before

Replaces "quite a while" with "some time", slightly reducing the emphasis on the duration.

it will take a while before

Emphasizes the duration required before something happens.

it will be a long time before

Highlights the length of the waiting period.

a considerable period will pass before

Uses more formal language to indicate a significant delay.

there will be a delay before

Focuses on the presence of a delay.

not for a good while

An informal way to emphasize a considerable amount of waiting time.

some time must elapse before

Presents a more formal and emphatic version.

a significant duration will precede

Uses formal vocabulary to convey the idea of a noteworthy length of time.

eventually, but not soon

Indicates a future occurrence but stresses it won't happen quickly.

there's quite some waiting involved before

Highlights the waiting aspect more than the duration.

FAQs

How can I use "it is quite a while before" in a sentence?

Use "it is quite a while before" to indicate that a notable amount of time will pass before something happens. For example, "It is quite a while before the project will be completed, so patience is key."

What's a less formal alternative to "it is quite a while before"?

For a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "it will take a while" or "it will be some time" before something happens.

How does "it is quite a while before" differ from "it was quite a while before"?

"It is quite a while before" refers to a future event, while "it was quite a while before" refers to a past event. The tense changes the meaning entirely.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is quite a while until" instead of "it is quite a while before"?

While "it is quite a while until" might be understood, "it is quite a while before" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing. "Until" is better suited when referring to a specific endpoint in time, rather than an event.