short while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "short while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a brief period of time. Example: "I'll be back in a short while, so please wait for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A short while later he resigned.

The Economist

It died a short while later.

Independent

A short while later, he completely disappeared.

Independent

This was great, for a short while.

The New York Times - Arts

It's free for a short while.

The New York Times - Tech

For a short while, it did.

The Economist

A short while later -- wham!

The New York Times - Magazine

For a short while, perhaps.

The Guardian

He died a short while later.

The New York Times

A short while later, he was dead.

The New York Times

My professor died a short while ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "short while" when you want to indicate an indefinite but relatively brief period. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "short while" when a precise time frame is necessary. If you mean five minutes, state "five minutes" rather than relying on the ambiguity of "short while".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "short while" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used adverbially to indicate a brief duration of time. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly modifies verbs or entire clauses to specify when an action occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

19%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "short while" is a versatile noun phrase indicating a brief, unspecified duration. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially within news and media. While providing a general timeframe, it lacks precision, making it suitable for contexts where exact timing isn't crucial. For alternatives, you can consider phrases such as "brief period" or "little while" depending on the tone you intend to convey. When writing, be mindful not to substitute "short while" for instances requiring explicit time references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief period

Emphasizes the limited duration.

little while

Uses more informal and conversational language.

short time

More direct and less idiomatic.

brief moment

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the period.

quick spell

Suggests a continuous period with a temporary or magical undertone.

fleeting instant

Conveys a sense of something passing quickly and almost unnoticed.

momentarily

Adverbial form expressing that something will happen or last only for a short time.

split second

Emphasizes an extremely brief duration.

a few minutes

Specifies an approximate but small amount of time.

in due course

Indicates that something will happen after a certain period, often without specifying the exact duration.

FAQs

What does "short while" mean?

The phrase "short while" refers to a brief, unspecified amount of time. It implies a relatively quick duration but without precise measurement.

What can I say instead of "short while"?

You can use alternatives like "brief period", "little while", or "short time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "short while" or "short time"?

Both "short while" and "short time" are acceptable. "Short while" is slightly more idiomatic, while "short time" is more direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

How long is a "short while"?

The duration of a "short while" is subjective and context-dependent. It generally implies a period shorter than an hour, possibly a few minutes to half an hour.