Is there any diffrence in using a while and awhile? I know awhile means a period of time usually short. Is there any specific lengh of time for awhile?
Thanks !
Printable View
Is there any diffrence in using a while and awhile? I know awhile means a period of time usually short. Is there any specific lengh of time for awhile?
Thanks !
The word awhile is considered by many grammarians to be ungrammatical, a solecism, however it is sometimes used in place of the two words a while when it is used as the object of a preposition. "I'm going to rest for awhile."
I always recommend that my students avoid usages that some, but not all, teachers and other experts consider non-standard. Why take unnecessary chances? The word awhile falls into that category. Avoid using it, you'll never be considered wrong if you use the words a while in every instance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mykwyner
Thank you so much for your help!!! The original sentence is:
" Thanks for the invitation.I would love to come.It may be a while though " )
The speaker is not really refusing the invitation but just saying that he or she can not come now and it will be later . Am I correct ?
Thanks again !!!
Yes, but better to say I may be a while thoughQuote:
Originally Posted by dinha
The single word "awhile" is an adverb. It can be used correrctly as:Quote:
Originally Posted by dinha
After my trip, I slept awhile.
If you use a prepsotion with it, you then need the noun.
After my trip, I slept for a while.
I don't see anything wrong with "it will be a while". In that case, it refers to the time period.Quote:
Originally Posted by curmudgeon