wait a while

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to be patient or to tell them to wait for a period of time before taking further action. Example: "I'm not ready yet, so wait a while and I'll let you know when I am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wait a while.

Forbes

But wait a while.

The Economist

(Translation: wait a while).

The New York Times

Just wait a while.

The New York Times

They will wait a while yet.

The Economist

They may wait a while longer.

The Economist

Personally, he would wait a while longer.

The New York Times

Perhaps wait a while then go.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If not, wait a while longer.

The New York Times - Style

Probably, but he may have to wait a while.

The New York Times

They may have to wait a while longer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a while" to soften a request for patience, making it more conversational and less demanding. For instance, instead of saying "You must wait," try "Wait a while and then check back."

Common error

While "wait a while" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, avoid it in highly formal writing like academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more precise language, such as "delay briefly" or "defer the decision", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a while" primarily functions as an imperative construction, urging someone to delay action for a short, unspecified period. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a valid and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wait a while" is a common and generally acceptable way to suggest a short delay. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English. It is most frequently found in news and media and informal contexts, such as wikis. While it may be suitable for business correspondence and everyday conversation, you should consider opting for more formal alternatives like "delay briefly" or "allow some time" in highly professional or academic writing. When advising patience, it's a good option; just be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a moment

This alternative is slightly more concise and direct.

hang on a second

This alternative is informal and suggests a very short delay.

be patient

This alternative is a general exhortation to have patience.

delay action

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes postponing a specific action.

bide your time

This alternative implies waiting for a strategic opportunity.

hold your horses

This alternative is an idiomatic expression suggesting a need to slow down or be less hasty.

take your time

This alternative encourages not rushing and proceeding at a comfortable pace.

hold off for a bit

This alternative suggests postponing something for a short, unspecified duration.

pause briefly

This alternative implies a very short interruption or break.

let's hold off

This alternative directly suggests that a group delay taking action.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait a while" to suggest a short period of delay before an action. For example, "Wait a while before you call him back, so you don't seem too eager."

What's a more formal way to say "wait a while"?

For formal situations, you could use phrases like "delay briefly" or "postpone temporarily" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "wait a while" appropriate for business communication?

In most business communications, "wait a while" is acceptable, especially in internal emails. However, for external communication with clients, consider using slightly more formal alternatives like "allow some time".

What can I say instead of "wait a while" when I want to emphasize patience?

To emphasize patience, you could say "be patient" or "exercise patience" which directly encourages a calm approach.