“Awhile” is a one- word shortcut for “for a while.”
A while
“A while” is a period of time. “While” is a noun. It can serve as the object of a preposition (“in a while,” “after a while”).
Awhile
“Awhile” is an shortcut adverb meaning “for a while.” Wherever “for a while” fits in the sentence, it can be replaced by “awhile.”
Examples:
- The young couple sat awhile on the beach, watching the sunset.
- “awhile” = “for a while”
- After a while, he reached out and took her hand.
- “a while” = a period of time
- “Let’s stay here forever. A least, awhile, for a long while.”
- “awhile” = “for a while”
- “a (long) while” = a period of time
- “A while ago, I didn’t think this was possible.”
- “a while” = a period of time
- She smiled and snuggled against him awhile.
- “awhile” = “for a while”
Credits: Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya, Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash