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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

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.

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