The dragon wishes to speak to you a
while if you are able to stay awhile.
Is there really a difference between a
while and awhile?
Yes, there is, and writers often use the wrong
one.
The word awhile is an adverb, which
means it modifies a verb. The definition of awhile is “for a while” or
“for a time”. It would be redundant to say, “The dragon wishes you to stay for
awhile” ,which reads as, “The dragon wishes you to stay for for a time”.
The key to watch for is the word for.
The dragon either wants you to stay for a while (a period of time) or he wants
you to stay awhile (for a time).
While we’re on the topic of what the dragon
wants, let’s talk about the word while itself. While can be a
noun, conjunction, adverb, verb, or a preposition.
Noun
The dragon chatted for a while (a period of
time) about how he hoped it was worth your while (trouble) to listen.
The dragon drew a map, talking the while (at the
same time; meanwhile).
Conjunction
The dragon didn’t accomplish much while I was
away (during the time that; at the same time as).
The dragon wants to play, while I want to study
(whereas-indicating a contrast).
Adverb
The times while the dragon sleeps are the
quietest times (during which).
Verb
The dragon can find all kinds of diversions to
while away the day when he should be studying (pass time in a leisurely
manner).
Preposition
The dragon will be grouchy while dinner time
(until).
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I hope this lesson was
worth your while.
For more information on my dragon books for children, visit: http://www.dragonsbook.com
copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013
For more information on my dragon books for children, visit: http://www.dragonsbook.com
copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013
For a while I thought this was a joke. Then, while reading your post, I realized that this was really a lesson about awhile and while. Now I have a headache. (Bet you thought an awhile or a while would be in that sentence!)
ReplyDeleteWell, while you are sunning yourself while in Hawaii, I will stay awhile and protect your blog from whilly . . . willy . . . awhily . . . awful writers who misuse the words awhile. and while. All the while, you better be thinking about me for awhile. Have a fancy drink with an umbrella in it for me. (first sentence might be a double-while, oops)
It was very nice of you to stay awhile while I was in Hawaii. Much appreciated. Now that I am around for a while, I will write some new posts that I hope will be worth your while to learn some new grammar rules and give you more headaches.
ReplyDelete