while vs. awhile

Question

It's been a while that I haven't seen him.  Vs.  It's been a while that I haven't seen him. Whats the difference between while and awhile?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

AnonymousWhat's the difference between while and awhile?

You did not use 'awhile" in any of your examples.

Awhile is always an adverb. It means " a short time."
Please sit down and stay awhile.
Let me think about it awhile.

While can be a noun, a verb, and a conjunction.
As a noun, while means "a little time." It is always used with the indefinite article.

In the sentence, "Will you stay for a while?" while is the object of the preposition for.
He came in a while ago.

In some cases, a noun phrase of time can function as an adverb.
It's been five minutes since I saw him.
It's been a while since I saw him.
It's been awhile since I saw him.

Fivejedjon · Answer

That's a new one on me. I would have said that 'awhile' didn't exist.

I would have been wrong.

Anonymous · Answer

fivejedjonThat's a new one on me. I would have said that 'awhile' didn't exist.I would have been wrong.

Same here. I just found out today.

while vs. awhile

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