lingered for a time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingered for a time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone remained in a place or state for a certain duration, often implying a sense of hesitation or reflection. Example: "After the meeting ended, she lingered for a time, contemplating her next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mrs. Rodgers lingered for a time in her classroom.

The New York Times

The Second International lingered for a time, but to no effective purpose.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After lingering for a time in the company of pushcarts and lost luggage, Emmi was forced to spend a night in a Seattle kennel.

The New York Times

Your trail, officially known as Lower West Observatory Trail (though it is unmarked), lingers for a time alongside the brook, then begins to climb.

Los Angeles Times

When he was finished, Mr. Romney lingered for a long time, shaking hands and delivering hugs.

The New York Times

And as one might expect, the consequences of this were sudden, unpleasant, and lingered for a long time afterwards.

The Guardian

He lingered for a long time during the huge ovation that greeted him at the end: it was hard to tell if he was genuinely stunned or was savoring a moment that he had long been expecting.

The New Yorker

It lingered for a long time.

BBC

"Conan lingered for a long time, that was awkward".

Huffington Post

The political fallout is likely to linger for a long time, especially if Bush loses Texas.

The New Yorker

That tension is likely to linger for a long time to come.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingered for a time" to describe a situation where someone or something remains in a place or state with a sense of slight hesitation or reflection, rather than a determined purpose.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "lingered for a time" can sound slightly poetic or informal in certain contexts. Choose more direct alternatives like "remained briefly" or "stayed for a while" in professional or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingered for a time" functions as a verbal phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate the duration and manner of an action. As Ludwig confirms, it is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lingered for a time" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, confirmed by Ludwig, that describes a state of remaining or prolonging an action with a sense of hesitation or reflection. It is mostly found in news and media, with some presence in encyclopedic texts. While acceptable in many contexts, consider more direct alternatives like "stayed for a while" in professional or technical writing. Common related phrases include "remained briefly", "stayed for a while", and "paused momentarily". When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lingered briefly

Like "lingered for a time", but emphasizes a short duration.

Lingered a bit

Indicates a slight delay or hesitation.

Remained briefly

Focuses on the action of staying, with an emphasis on the short duration.

Stayed for a while

Implies a more casual and unspecified duration of staying.

Stayed a moment longer

Emphasizes extending one's stay for a short amount of time.

Paused momentarily

Emphasizes a brief interruption or halt in an activity.

Tarried for a moment

Emphasizes a short delay with a slightly archaic tone.

Paused for a spell

Indicates a pause or stay for a short, undefined duration, with a hint of old-fashioned language.

Dwelt for a period

Highlights focusing on something or remaining in a state for some duration.

Loitered briefly

Implies waiting or hanging around without a clear purpose, for a short duration.

FAQs

What does "lingered for a time" mean?

The phrase "lingered for a time" means to have stayed longer than expected in a place or state, usually with a sense of hesitation or reflection.

What can I say instead of "lingered for a time"?

You can use alternatives like "stayed for a while", "remained briefly", or "paused momentarily" depending on the context.

How do I use "lingered for a time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone remaining in a place: "She "lingered for a time" after the meeting, gathering her thoughts". Or, it can describe a state: "The smell of smoke "lingered for a time" after the fire was extinguished".

Is it better to say "lingered for a time" or "lingered for a while"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "lingered for a time" might suggest a more thoughtful or hesitant stay, while "lingered for a while" implies a more casual or unspecified duration.