One word or two
Awhile vs. A while
Awhile is an adverb that means for a short time, as in Sit awhile. A while is a noun phrase meaning a period of time, and it is the form you need after for, in or after.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| awhile | adverb | for a short time; the word already includes the meaning of for |
| a while | phrase | a period of time, often used after a preposition such as for, in or after |
Awhile
adverb: for a short time; the word already includes the meaning of for
- Let's rest awhile before we hike back down.
- The soup needs to simmer awhile longer.
A while
phrase: a period of time, often used after a preposition such as for, in or after
- I haven't seen my cousins in a while.
- It took a while for the paint to dry.
How to remember the difference
Awhile already means for a while, so never write for awhile. If a preposition comes first (for, in, after), use two words: for a while.
Good to know
Both forms often work right after a verb: stay awhile and stay a while are both correct. After a preposition, only a while is standard, though for awhile shows up often in casual writing.
Spot the mistake
We waited for
awhile,a while, but the bus never came.Correct: We waited for a while, but the bus never came.
It's been
awhilea while since we talked.Correct: It's been a while since we talked.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Ben lived in Chicago for before moving west.
Answer: a while. The word comes after the preposition for, so you need the two-word noun phrase a while.
2. Let's sit on the porch and watch the rain.
Answer: awhile. With no preposition before it, the adverb awhile fits, meaning for a short time. A while would also be accepted here.