A While vs. Awhile: Do You Know the Difference?

A while and awhile both sound the same when spoken aloud, leading some to think that the two are the same or that one is a misspelling of the other. The two constructions—one as a two-word phrase and the other as a single word—mean different things.

In today’s post, we will explain the difference so you can use each one correctly in your own writing. Let’s get started!

The Difference Between A While and Awhile

When written as two words, a while is a noun phrase that means “some amount of time.” In American English, it usually corresponds to something that has taken (or is taking) longer than expected.

Examples

I hoped Rebecca would call after our date, but it’s been a while.

It has been a while since that deli opened, but I still don’t see many customers going inside.

I hoped the new subway station might open this month, but the city planner says it’s going to be a while before the renovation is finished.

As a single word, awhile is an adverb that means “for some length of time.” In that way, it is much like the two-word phrase; however, it should be applied only to action words. Let’s look at an example:

After I had been running awhile, I noticed my feet were starting to hurt.

Because awhile modifies the verb running in this sentence, making it an adverb, the single-word version is proper. If the expression is the object of a preposition in that same sentence, it becomes a noun phrase, and we would use the two-word version:

After I had been running for a while, I noticed my feet were starting to hurt.

 In this sentence, a while is the object of the preposition for.

As you can see, both versions have their correct applications. In American English, the two-word a while is probably the more common between them. If you are ever in doubt about which expression to use, simply ask yourself if it is serving as an adverb (awhile) or a noun phrase (a while).

Pop Quiz

Using what you now know, choose the correct expression in each sentence below.

1. I’ve been waiting [a while / awhile], but the bus is due any minute.

2. Jackson had been baking [a while / awhile] when he realized the oven wasn’t actually switched on.

3. We should get comfortable because we are probably going to be here for [a while / awhile].

4. It has been [a while / awhile] since we’ve eaten. Are you hungry?

5. Donna suddenly remembered it had been [a while / awhile] since she had called her parents.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I’ve been waiting awhile, but the bus is due any minute.

2. Jackson had been baking awhile when he realized the oven wasn’t actually switched on.

3. We should get comfortable because we are probably going to be here for a while.

4. It has been a while since we’ve eaten. Are you hungry?

5. Donna suddenly remembered it had been a while since she had called her parents.

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