Awhile and A while

AWHILE vs A WHILE

Awhile or A While? When to Use A While or Awhile.

A While and Awhile are commonly confused words in the English language.

AWHILE Definition and Examples

• Awhile functions strictly as an adverb.
• It means “for a period of time“.

AWHILE Examples:

• He worked awhile as a pharmacist in Cincinnati.
• I waited awhile, then I rang again.
• I read awhile, then slept.
• So sit down and stay awhile.
• I want to take time off to rest awhile.
• Her aunt looked at her awhile with genial acuteness.

A WHILE Definition and Examples

When A While is two words, a is an article and while is a noun meaning “a period of time.”

A WHILE Examples:

• They were silent for a while.
• We discoursed at the gate for a while.
• I’ll be back in a while.
• We meet for lunch once in a while.
• The music became monotonous after a while.
• Let’s sit here and visit together for a while.