keep for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keep for a while' is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means to hold onto or maintain something for a short period of time, usually until the time is right to do something with it. For example: "I think I should keep this information for a while before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'd be tempted to buy him a bottle of something that he can keep for a while and enjoy in due course.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even though no one will officially say it, Strahan's excellent play last season -- as well as his excellent attitude -- have convinced the Giants that Strahan, with two years remaining on his contract, is someone they want to keep for a while, a long while.

The New York Times - Sports

But we encouraged submitters to use e-mail addresses that they thought they'd keep for a while, and from a provider which isn't likely to disappear, such as Yahoo!, Microsoft or Google.

Forbes

Things we wanted keep for a while.

Huffington Post

Democrats traded this in exchange for keeping tax incentives for wind and solar for another five years, and some of those other things We the People got to keep for a while longer.

Huffington Post

They keep for a while, but they'll only last a few days if your family knows about them!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Innate immune system, triggered immediately and kept for a while after ischemic stroke onset, protects and hurts brain by activation of endogenous and exogenous immune cells and production of cytokines.

BioMed Research International

We observe the data and notice that prices usually keep constant for a while before a sudden change.

Journal of Big Data

Write your idea down and keep it for a while.

The New York Times

And it will keep working, for a while.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they will probably keep appearing for a while yet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep for a while", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for temporary retention and the expected duration. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies your intention.

Common error

Avoid using "keep for a while" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language such as "retain temporarily" or "preserve for a limited duration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep for a while" functions as a verb phrase, with "keep" acting as the main verb and "for a while" functioning as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb. It indicates the duration for which something is being kept or retained. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep for a while" signifies the act of temporarily retaining something. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as wiki content. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives might be better suited for academic or professional writing. When using the phrase, it's important to provide enough context, specifying the reasoning and expected duration of retention to avoid confusion. The phrase, while common, is not frequently employed and it's related alternatives such as "retain temporarily", "hold onto temporarily", or "preserve briefly" can better serve particular contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold onto temporarily

Focuses on the act of holding something for a limited duration.

retain for the time being

Emphasizes retaining something for the present moment.

preserve briefly

Highlights the act of preserving something for a short duration.

maintain for a short period

Stresses maintaining something over a limited timeframe.

save for later use

Suggests saving something with the intention of using it in the future.

set aside temporarily

Focuses on setting something aside for a temporary purpose.

store for the present

Highlights storing something for the current time.

stash away for a bit

Informal way of saying to hide something for a short period.

shelve for the moment

Implies putting something aside and dealing with it later.

postpone indefinitely

Shifting from temporality, this phrase speaks of postponing something, with no specific date.

FAQs

What does "keep for a while" mean?

The phrase "keep for a while" means to retain or hold onto something for a limited period, usually until a specific need arises or a decision is made.

What can I say instead of "keep for a while"?

You can use alternatives like "retain temporarily", "hold onto temporarily", or "preserve briefly", depending on the context.

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

Here's an example: "I'll "keep it for a while" to see if I really need it before discarding it."

Is "keep for a while" formal or informal?

"Keep for a while" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "retain temporarily" or "preserve for a limited duration".