Friday, May 7, 2010

Awhile / A While

Another short one today, starting with a confession.  This one took me the longest time to learn, and I'm not sure why.  It's really fairly simple!

Awhile means "for a while."

A while is two words, usually used after the word for.

So, if you say for awhile, you're really saying for for a while --  which is just wrong.

I'm going to stay at my sister's house for a while.
--OR--
I'm going to stay at my sister's house awhile.

I'll be leaving in a while.

Remember, if I left in awhile, that would be the same as saying I'm leaving in for a while.

The trick I finally came up with to get it right is to remember to use either one word (awhile) or three words (for a while) -- no two words about it.

Hope you all are enjoying better weather than we are in northern Minnesota, where it snowed all dayMy tulips are done, my rhubarb is trying to go to seed, and my lilacs are ready to pop open...and it's snowing like crazy.  There's something wrong here!

5 comments:

  1. That picture was pretty sad...I left you a comment over there. It surprised me! What a waste of a good lilac :)

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  2. Maybe this extra moisture will be a blessing. Look at it this way, you don't have to water for a while.
    Kate

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  3. I just found your fantastic blog via Auntie Cake and Libbie. How I need all these great tips. I'll be a new follower.
    Good weekend to you!
    Mimi

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  4. Good tip, as always! Thank you.

    Tulips and daffies are going strong in my flower beds and no lilacs yet. It's just too cold here yet.

    Jody

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  5. I did come over from Auntie Cake's bloggie...and am THRILLED to have this question answered. I've struggled with it forever! Thank you so very much. I'll be popping back over for more help, that's for sure.

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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