Sorry if this is a repeat, but I didn't find anything when searching the forum.
Which is correct - a while, or awhile?
Which is correct - a while, or awhile?
A while or Awhile
- Thread starter KatRiley
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KatRiley said:
I think either under certain circumstances.
"We waited a while". Here 'while' is modified by the particular adjective 'a'.
"Awhile later, it happened." Here 'awhile' is a specific thing.
Anyway, that probably muddies the water, but it's what I do when pondering the usage.
Regards,
Scott
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KatRiley said:
That's the way I play it, but don't worry there will be somebody along who will say different before too long.
Regards,
Scott
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'Awhile' can't have a preposition in front of it.
Otherwise, I think they're pretty interchangeable, with a slight nod to 'a while' being preferred as the object of a preposition.
Otherwise, I think they're pretty interchangeable, with a slight nod to 'a while' being preferred as the object of a preposition.
Just remember that "awhile" is an adverb, and "a while" is a noun phrase. So whichever use you're making of the word/phrase makes the difference in which form to use.
ac
ac
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