since a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"since a while" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a certain period of time that has elapsed, often used when referring to a period of time that is longer than "a while" but not quite long enough to be considered "a while ago". For example, "I haven't seen him since a while."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Red Storm has learned how to be a winner for the first time since a while ago.

The New York Times - Sports

I have been practicing for a few days here now, you know, so those were my first kind of outdoor practices since a while.

The New York Times

Spatial search integration and data modeling in conventional databases used to be a hot topic since a while [11].

Journal of Big Data

Since a while ago, there exists cientific evidence of the advers events (gastrointestinal problems, metabolic alterations, nefro-hepatic problems, etc).

Health Economics Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

However, Condé Nast is preparing for the iPad since quite a while.

The Guardian

Small states, and in particular Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been subject to academic discourses since quite a while.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

In general terms, central banks have been net buyers of gold since 2010 - a while before the conflict in Ukraine.

The Guardian

"It's been a while since we had any silverware, since [the ICC Champions Trophy in] 2004.

BBC

"It's an important one for me because it's been a while since I won, been a while since I've been in contention," said Mickelson, whose last victory was 51 weeks ago, at Pebble Beach.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a while since Jackson was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's a while since they visited.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since a while", consider the context. It is generally acceptable in informal writing and speech, but more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "for some time" or "recently".

Common error

Avoid using "since a while" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since a while" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the duration or passage of time from a certain point. It modifies a verb or clause to specify when something last occurred or how long ago it happened. Ludwig AI marks the phrase as acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since a while" is an adverbial phrase used to indicate that a certain amount of time has passed. According to Ludwig AI, it is an acceptable phrase, although it's more suited to informal or neutral contexts rather than formal academic or professional writing. While grammatically sound, it is crucial to consider the specific audience and purpose when deciding whether to use "since a while" or opt for a more formal alternative like "for some time" or "recently". This consideration ensures clarity, precision, and appropriateness in conveying the intended meaning. As evidenced by Ludwig, understanding its contexts allows you to wield it effectively while maintaining grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for some time

Emphasizes the duration of the period.

in the last while

Slightly more descriptive, specifying the 'while' as the timeframe.

in recent times

Highlights that the period is not so far in the past.

over the past period

More formal and emphasizes a defined period.

lately

Implies a more recent and shorter period.

since the recent past

Emphasizes the 'past' and its recency.

since recently

Focuses on the recency of the start of the period.

since not long ago

Focuses on the briefness of the elapsed time.

since a short time ago

Explicitly indicates a brief duration.

for a period of time

More general and less specific about the duration.

FAQs

Is "since a while" grammatically correct?

While "since a while" is commonly used and understood, it's considered less formal. In formal writing, alternatives like "for some time" or "recently" are preferable.

What does "since a while" mean?

It means that a certain amount of time has passed since something occurred. It implies a duration longer than just "a while" but not necessarily a very long time.

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

You can use it to indicate a period that has elapsed since an event. For example, "I haven't seen them "for some time"." Alternatively, "It's been since I last visited that place."

What are some alternatives to "since a while"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "for some time", "lately", or "recently". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you want to convey.