small while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small while" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to refer to a brief period of time, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I'll be back in a small while, just need to grab something from the car."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

May I please just have this small while?

The New Yorker

So one might expect Tate Liverpool to linger over Tenniel for a small while at least.

The Guardian - Books

The advance was enough for me to quit freelancing for a small while to focus on the book.

The Guardian - Books

(A small while, but it does make a difference).

Huffington Post

To our surprise, it was open for business and we were welcomed by staff grateful to take their minds off the day, even for a small while.

Huffington Post

Always check with your parents/guardians if it is ok to make a racket for a small while.

WikiHow

In those cases, they say, the risks appear small while the benefits are substantial.

The New York Times - Science

Protesters said the sum was "embarrassingly small", while the Tate described it as "considerable".

The Guardian - Arts

They were paying endless attention to politicians big and small, while Netanyahu played the intellectual snob.

The Guardian - Opinion

The male gametes (microgametocytes) are small, while the female gametes (macrogametocytes) are larger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Edinburgh was too small while in Paris, they whispered "Quel prix!" and only 13 subscribers came forward).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, opt for more conventional phrases like "short while" or "brief period" instead of "small while". This ensures better understanding and avoids potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "small while" in formal writing. Its informal nature can undermine the professionalism of your message. Choose alternatives like "brief period" or "short duration" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small while" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the duration of an action. It specifies that the action will occur for a limited time. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to express a temporary pause or a short interval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small while" is an acceptable but less common phrase used to indicate a short period of time. Ludwig AI flags that it is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. While grammatically sound, alternatives like "short while" or "brief period" are generally preferred for clarity and formality. Its usage appears mostly in news and media sources. When writing, consider your audience and the desired tone before using "small while"; opting for more conventional phrases is often the best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short while

Replaces "small" with "short", a more common adjective for duration.

moment

Another direct and common synonym for a short duration.

short time

A direct synonym, replacing "while" with "time".

brief period

Uses a more formal noun phrase to convey a short duration.

quick moment

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the duration.

little bit

An informal and idiomatic alternative, focusing on a small amount of time.

jiffy

An informal term for a very short period of time.

fleeting instant

Highlights the transient nature of the duration.

split second

Implies an extremely short duration, almost instantaneous.

minute

A specific unit of time, implying a brief duration.

FAQs

What does "small while" mean?

The phrase "small while" informally suggests a brief period of time. However, it's not a standard expression and may be better replaced with more common alternatives.

What can I say instead of "small while"?

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

Is it correct to say "small while"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "small while" is less common and can sound awkward. Using phrases like "short time" or "brief moment" is generally preferred for clarity.

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

You might use "small while" in casual conversation, like "I'll be back in a small while". However, for formal writing, consider alternatives such as "short duration" or "brief interval".