last a while

USAGE SUMMARY

'last a while' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something will endure for a period of time, though it may not be indefinite. Example: Our happiness will last a while, so let's enjoy it while it does.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But peak could last a while.

The New York Times

That pause could last a while.

The Washington Post

The moment could last a while longer, she decided.

The Washington Post

Valentine was asked if this defeat will last a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"This suggests to me the purple patch could last a while longer".

Independent

These cost £8.50 but will last a while and are ace for masking undesirable smells.

Independent

It may last a while, but within a couple of days the arguments are clear.

The New York Times

Sometimes those moments last a while, other times they vanish as if they never happened.

The New York Times - Sports

Yankees Manager Joe Torre said he expected the series to last a while.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If you're unfortunate enough to find yourself in this situation, just remember... 2. This might last a while, but you will make it through.

Huffington Post

Coated strings will last a while longer.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last a while" to indicate that something will likely continue for an indefinite but limited period. It's best suited for informal contexts or when precision isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "last a while" when referring to events with a precisely known or very short duration. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty about the exact ending time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last a while" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the duration of an action or state. It suggests that something will continue for a certain period, as Ludwig's examples illustrate, providing a common way to express the expected duration of an event or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last a while" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something will continue for an indefinite period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various sources. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "endure for some time" may be preferable. Remember that the phrase implies an uncertain duration, so avoid using it when the timeframe is precisely known.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endure for some time

This alternative replaces "last" with "endure" and "a while" with "some time", emphasizing the sustained existence of something.

persist for a period

The phrase replaces "last" with "persist" and "a while" with "a period", focusing on the continuation or prolonged existence of something.

continue for a bit

This option uses "continue" instead of "last" and "a bit" for "a while", suggesting a shorter or less defined duration.

remain for some time

Here, "remain" replaces "last" and "some time" replaces "a while", implying something stays in a particular state or place for an unspecified duration.

hold out for a period

"Hold out" replaces "last", indicating resilience or resistance over a certain duration, specified as "a period".

stretch out for a while

Using "stretch out" in place of "last" suggests an extension or prolongation over the duration indicated by "a while".

go on for a time

"Go on" is used instead of "last", signifying continuation, with "a time" replacing "a while" to denote an unspecified duration.

be sustained for a while

This alternative uses "be sustained" to emphasize the support or maintenance of something over the period "a while".

keep up for a time

"Keep up" replaces "last", suggesting the continuation of effort or activity for "a time".

draw out for some time

Replacing "last" with "draw out" implies an intentional prolongation or extension over "some time".

FAQs

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

You can use "last a while" to describe how long something will continue, such as "This feeling might "last a while"" or "These batteries should "last a while"".

What are some alternatives to saying "last a while"?

Alternatives include "endure for some time", "persist for a period", or "continue for a bit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "last a while" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "last a while" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider more precise or sophisticated alternatives such as "persist for a significant duration" or "continue for an extended period".

What does it mean when someone says something will "last a while"?

It means that the thing they are referring to is expected to continue or remain in effect for an indefinite, but not permanent, amount of time.