TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

a while back vs a while backs

The correct phrase is 'a while back.' 'Back' in this context is an adverb indicating a past time, and 'a while' is a noun phrase that functions as an adverbial phrase. 'A while backs' is incorrect because 'backs' is not a valid form in this context.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 580 views

a while back

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to refer to a past time, indicating that something happened or was true some time ago.
  • Anyway, this was delivered a while back.
  • I've been thinking a lot lately about something that happened a while back.
  • Holmes stormed out of the station a while back.
  • He's an actor I met a while back.
  • Agent Benford look into them a while back.
  • Used for our company's offender rehabilitation programs a while back.
  • I know one of her cousins called her from there a while back.
  • You know, his reactor blew a while back.
  • I saw some bulbs down there a while back.
  • It was just like you said a while back.
  • He tried unionize the dishwashing staff a while back.
  • Assailant's description is strangely similar to the one Sheriff Sworn issued for your sister a while back...
  • Did some time a while back.
  • I heard she sold the ranch a while back.
  • We tried dating a while back and it was a disaster.
  • Bumped into him a while back.
  • Met him in Cleveland a while back.
  • He mentioned you a while back.
  • There was this boy a while back.
  • Had to lay him off a while back.

a while backs

This phrase is incorrect in English.

  • Anyway, this was delivered a while back.
  • Agent Benford look into them a while back.
  • A while back a man was here looking into that hole.
  • Well, it was a while back.
  • Did a job for friends a while back...
  • I discovered some information about the mayor a while back.
  • A while back, you wanted a baby.
  • Used for our company's offender rehabilitation programs a while back.
  • They expressed some interest a while back.
  • Holmes stormed out of the station a while back.
  • I know one of her cousins called her from there a while back.
  • A while back, I was running with a pretty bad crowd.
  • A while back, these guys approached me with an offer.
  • You know, his reactor blew a while back.
  • - You know I got that inheritance a while back.
  • A while back, I asked you out for a drink.
  • We did kind of have a fling a while back.
  • - Well, she died a while back.
  • I had an incident a while back.
  • I saw some bulbs down there a while back.

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!