Word Wise: Is It Awhile or a While

Hmm, is it awhile or a while? I can't remember now. Even the best language heroes get a little confused every once in a while. If you get stuck like that sometimes, this might help you remember which word to use in which situation.

Is There Such a Thing as Awhile?

Awhile is considered as old English. More often than not people write awhile as a while, as is the more modern practice. Some people, who are comfortable with the correct usage of awhile, will use it as it should be. Using either awhile or a while is acceptable in certain situations, but it's not recommended. Awhile is an adverb and therefore needs to take that role (and that role only) in a sentence. While, however, can take different forms.

While on Its Own

When while stands alone, it can have a different meaning than when it stands in a cluster of words. Think about these two sentences:

I will stand in the rain for a while.
I will stand in the rain while I wait for my friend.

The first sentence uses for a while, which refers to a period of time. While in the second sentence takes on the role of a conjunction. Therefore it took on the same role as words such as but, although and during.

So, Is It Awhile or a While?

While while can stand on it's own to act as a conjunction, it can also be a noun. A while is the noun version. As an adverb, awhile offers more information on the verb. It modifies the verb. For example:

Go sleep awhile.

If you change the awhile to soundly you can see that it will take the position perfectly. Soundly is also an adverb. It gives you more info on the action sleep. Awhile is doing the same. It tells you for what period in time this action is taking place.

Go sleep for a while.

 In the above sentence you can change a while with a period of time.

Go sleep for an hour. 

The article a(n) tells us we are dealing with a noun. The substitution cheat can help you decide whether you need to use awhile or a while. Substitute what you want to say with a two phrased time noun or a one worded adverb. The one that works, is the one you want to go for. Otherwise, just remember that one fulfills the noun role and the other the adverb role.