a while / awhile

dinha · #1 26-Nov-2006, 22:40

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 !

mykwyner · #2 26-Nov-2006, 23:13

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.

dinha · #3 26-Nov-2006, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykwyner

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.

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 !!!

**curmudgeon** · #4 27-Nov-2006, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinha

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 though

MikeNewYork · #5 27-Nov-2006, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinha

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 single word "awhile" is an adverb. It can be used correrctly as:

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.