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Newguest Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

A while/awhile

Hi

It may take a while OR It may take awhile?

--- Are both forms correct?

Thanks
  

Top answer

"Awhlle" is an adverb meaning for some indeterminate period of time. "A while" is a noun phrase meaning an indeterminate period of time. Since a temporal noun phrase may be used adverbially, both of these are correct: Stay a while.

— Deadrat

  • "Awhlle" is an adverb meaning for some indeterminate period of time.
  • "A while" is a noun phrase meaning an indeterminate period of time.
  • Since a temporal noun phrase may be used adverbially, both of these are correct: Stay a while.
  • Stay awhile.
  • But only the nominal usage may be the object of a preposition: Stay for a while.
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1 Answers
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"Awhlle" is an adverb meaning for some indeterminate period of time.
"A while" is a noun phrase meaning an indeterminate period of time. Since a temporal noun phrase may be used adverbially, both of these are correct:

Stay a while.
Stay awhile.

But only the nominal usage may be the object of a preposition:

Stay for a while.
Stay for

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