remained for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary state of staying in a particular place or situation for a short duration. Example: "After the meeting, I remained for a while to discuss the project further with my colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Meghan O'Sullivan, who directed Iraq policy for Mr. Bush, agreed and said the more important concern was making sure that enough forces remained for a while after the elections, noting that it took five months for Iraq to form a government after its last elections, in 2005.

The New York Times

Nadia resided alone, and Saeed with his parents, but both were fortunate that their homes remained for a while in government-controlled neighborhoods, and so were spared much of the worst fighting and also the retaliatory air strikes that the Army was calling in on localities thought not merely to be occupied but disloyal.

The New Yorker

After her graduation in 1941 she remained for a while at St. Hugh's as a research student, later moving to Newnham College, Cambridge in 1942.

SEP

Challenges: In South Africa, facility-level task-shifting was well accepted locally but remained for a while as scattered pilot projects; and its scale-up was slow, due to a lack of formal process and standardization and an active opposition from professional councils.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Such vestiges of the old neighborhood will probably remain for a while.

The New York Times

Those who have died remain, for a while, very infectious, and funerals can bring people from some distance.

The Economist

And as for the d.h., that's where Williams started last night -- with Ricky Ledee in center field -- and is likely to remain for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

The Özhan and Georgiou families remain, for a while, in Famagusta, hiding from the Turkish soldiers and taking food from abandoned shops.

Independent

"All I can say is that I am still here and likely to remain for a while," the justice disclosed.

Huffington Post

Such behavior must be restrained even if these forces are to remain for a single day, and regardless of their fate and whether we ask for their withdrawal or for them to remain for a while longer.

Huffington Post

The protein or antigenic peptides of DNAJB8 may remain for a while after differentiation.

Cancer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remained for a while," consider the context to ensure the duration is appropriately conveyed. If the duration is significant, a more specific time frame might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on vague timeframes like "remained for a while" when more precise information is available. Providing specific details about the duration can enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained for a while" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained for a while" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to indicate a non-specific duration of time. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English. While the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, including news and media and scientific writing, it is important to consider whether a more specific timeframe would enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "stayed briefly" or "lingered temporarily" can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed briefly

Focuses on the act of staying, emphasizing the short duration.

lingered temporarily

Implies a more gentle or reluctant departure, highlighting the temporary aspect.

continued for a bit

Highlights the continuation of a state or action for a short time.

persisted for a short period

Emphasizes the duration of the persistence, using a more formal tone.

held on for some time

Suggests a struggle to maintain the current situation, adding a layer of effort.

lasted for a spell

Uses a more informal term ('spell') to describe the duration.

carried on for a moment

Focuses on the continuation of the activity for just a brief moment.

endured for a space

Highlights the endurance of a condition, using a slightly archaic tone.

sustained for an interval

Emphasizes the continuation and support during a specific period of time.

prolonged for a season

Implies that something was artificially lengthened or extended for a specific period.

FAQs

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

The phrase "remained for a while" indicates that something continued to be in a certain place or state for a limited duration. For example, "After the presentation, she "stayed for a while" to answer questions".

What are some alternatives to "remained for a while"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "stayed briefly", "lingered temporarily", or "continued for a bit" as alternatives to "remained for a while".

Is it better to use a specific timeframe instead of "remained for a while"?

While "remained for a while" is acceptable, using a specific timeframe (e.g., "remained for an hour") can provide greater clarity and precision, especially in formal or technical writing.

What's the difference between "remained for a while" and "remained briefly"?

"Remained for a while" suggests a slightly longer duration than "remained briefly". The best choice depends on how long the state or condition persisted.