AWHILE vs. A WHILE
GRAMMAR REVOLUTION
Elizabeth O’Brien
You’ve probably noticed that this can either be one word (awhile) or two words (a while). Do you know when to use each one? Do you know which one to use after a preposition like for or in? Here's the scoop!
A WHILE (2 words)
When a while is two words, a is an adjective and while is a noun meaning “a period of time”.
This is the version that you would use after prepositions like the words for and in. Prepositions must have a noun or pronoun after them. (Prepositions are always in prepositional phrases, and a prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and a noun or pronoun called the object of the preposition.)
Since while is a noun, we can use this two-word version after prepositions.
- We watched the show for a while.
- I’ll be back in a while.
For a while and in a while are prepositional phrases.
I’ll be back in a while.
AWHILE (1 word)
When awhile is one word, it is an adverb that means “for a short time”.
Awhile is an adverb. Since prepositions need an object of the preposition after them (a noun or pronoun), this one-word version is not the correct choice after a preposition.
- We watched the show
for awhile. (incorrect) - I’ll be back
in awhile. (incorrect)
You need the two-word version after a preposition.
Now you’re probably wondering when you would use awhile. Well, it’s an adverb, and remember that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. With this particular adverb, I can only think of examples of it modifying verbs.
Now you’re probably wondering when you would use awhile. Well, it’s an adverb, and remember that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. With this particular adverb, I can only think of examples of it modifying verbs.
- Sit awhile.
- Henry and Jane talked awhile.
Henry and Jane talked awhile.
I know it’s a bit confusing because the definitions for while and awhile are very similar. Just try to remember that awhile is an adverb and while in the two-word version a while is a noun.
Adapted from: https://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/awhile.html. Accessed on July 13, 2021.
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