Prague was nice, and the Pearl Jam concert was cool, but it's nice to be back home in Budapest.
Every once in a while I post about odd English-language words that trip up many writers. I've done a few such posts, so this one will be a quick one dealing with a new one I've recently run across in my own writing.
Do you use awhile and a while interchangeably? You shouldn't! 'Awhile' is the adverb form of the phrase, though it can always also be used in the noun form 'for a while'. So you might say 'I ran awhile before going to work.' In this case 'awhile' modifies the verb 'to run' and is an adverb.
'A while' is a noun and is always accompanied by a preposition, so the above sentence could have been written 'I ran for a while before going to work.'
Yes, it's a tricky one, and I tend to use only the noun version myself, but it's good to know the difference.
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Cover art for Glen Cook's LIES WEEPING
1 hour ago
I only use it as a noun. Glad you're back in Budapest.
ReplyDeleteI want to visit Prague, if for anything because they have such a strong gay community there.
ReplyDeleteI only tend to use it as a noun too. Stupid language :) I heard the lead singer of Lamb of God was arrested in Prague over the weekend. It's all happening there!
ReplyDeleteI have to keep an eye on that one. I'm not sure I always use it correctly. Mmmm.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I used 'awhile'. It was a while ago for sure.
ReplyDeleteTed, that's a good one alright. I'll probably just replace it with "for a fortnight." Save myself the trouble.
ReplyDeleteThe Grammar Hag is very proud of you.
ReplyDelete