Once for a while

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,


Do you say "once for a while" to mean "once in a while"?

I happened see "once for a while" in an email I got from a friend.

Thank you!

OP

 

[Barb_D]

No, don't say that. I don't know why that other person used it, but it's not normal.

 

[Johnson_F]

Do you say "once for a while" to mean "once in a while"?

It certainly is not used as an alternative to 'once in a while'. It is possible, if unlikely, meaning 'on one occasion, for a short time'.

 

[Barb_D]

Well, true.

Once, for a while, I tried out...
But not: I go there once for a while.