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In response to
"the strangest thought just came to me . . . is there really any real difference between "awhile" and "a while" ? -- nm"
by
call me Ishmael
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yes
Posted by
Andie
May 12 '15, 10:05
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These two terms represent different parts of speech. The two-word expression a while is a noun phrase, consisting of the article a and the noun while, defined as “a period or interval of time.” The one-word awhile is an adverb that means “for a short time or period.” Although these definitions are similar, and although the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, there are a few simple rules that prove helpful in keeping them straight.
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