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Understanding why "for awhile" is incorrect
Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 13:16English.me team member
What kind of error is it?
Spelling error
Why do people make this mistake?
The error occurs because "awhile" and "a while" sound similar and are often confused in writing. "Awhile" is an adverb that means "for a short period of time," whereas "a while" is a noun phrase that means "a period of time." Thus, when "for" precedes it, "a while" should be used.
What is correct?
Use "a while" instead of "awhile" after the preposition "for" because "for" requires a noun, and "a while" acts as a noun phrase.
Examples of correct usage
- I will be staying here for a while.
- We talked for a while before leaving.
- She waited for a while at the bus stop.
- He plans to travel for a while after graduation.
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