During our previous TIP TUESDAY post, a couple of questions came up, so they must be answered.
Lovely Inger of Desert Canyon Living asked about the difference between complex and complicated.
My Roget's Super Thesaurus tells me that complicated and complex are synonyms for each other.
Both are adjectives and mean something intricate, so I think it's safe to say that they can be used interchangeably, based on the one you prefer at a given moment or the one that might sound a bit better.
Darling Martha of Plowing Through Life wanted to know when to use awhile or a while. This one irritates me––not because you asked, Martha, but because I see awhile all the time when it should be a while.
These two terms represent different parts of speech. The two-word expression a while is a noun phrase, consisting of the article a and the noun while (which means “a period or interval of time”).
The one-word awhile is an adverb that means “for a short time or period.” Although these definitions are similar (and although the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably), there are a few simple rules that are helpful in keeping them straight. (source: Dictionary.com)
Awhile is an adverb meaning for a while, and it only works where it would bear replacement with that three-word phrase. Where for a while wouldn’t work in its place, it is probably not an adverb, so it should be two words: a while. (source: Grammarist.com)
I think the Grammarist.com information is more helpful, because for heaven's sake, what's the difference between "a period of time" and "for a short time."
My personal way of solving this problem is to use "a while" because it's what I prefer. I know, I know, normally it's the kind of thing I'd be all fussy about and say "if 'for a while' won't work then it should be a while." But as Dictionary.com says, they can sometimes be used interchangeably.
I vote for using "a while." I think it looks better and makes more sense than awhile. Besides, I've also seen explanations of the two that say "a while" is correct and awhile shouldn't be used anymore because it's outdated.
Can we all agree to use a while, or do some of you want to argue about it (in which case I will ignore you)?
See you in a while.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
That's a great way to explain it. I usually opt for all the two-word solutions when I'm in doubt. I'm glad to hear with a while, I'd be erring on the right side.
ReplyDeleteI suppose some grammarians would disagree with me, but which one of us is The Queen of Grammar?
DeletePeople who use like when they should be using as get my goat And yes, I am well aware that classes me as a grump with first world problems.
ReplyDeleteGrump away. I'll grump with you.
DeleteThis is a good explanation of the a/while issue. Now I'm wondering which one I use naturally. I love that picture!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an appropriate follow-up to yesterday's poem.
DeleteI tend to use a while because I am never totally sure of awhile. I just doesn't feel right most of the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love you.
DeleteOh my, that correction on the sign made me laugh.☺
ReplyDeleteI should carry a permanent marker so I can make corrections.
DeleteThe difference between "a while" and "awhile" can be confusing, indeed. Not like the difference between "any more" and "anymore," which is much less complicated... or is that much less complex?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about "a period of time" versus "for a short time."
And don't even get me started on "alright!"
You know that "alright" makes me insane with frustration.
DeleteGood explanations, even for the complicated and differences. Grammar gives me the Imposter Complex. I can feel my way around it, but not always know the definition.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you have to define when you can feel.
DeleteI worry about the computer age--because I know that since I have been using one the last 15 years I have gotten lazier and lazier about spelling and grammar than I was all the previous decades. Will the kids today learn proper English to begin with? Will they learn to write cursive? I suppose if they can communicate with each other it will all work out, but it is a sobering thought. Between fibro fog and keyboards--my accuracy in those departments has been slipping steadily away...for quite a while. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhether young people learn proper English has to do with their parents, their teachers, and reading.
DeleteI didn't think awhile was a real word, just something convenient the kids made up!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great explanation for it.
DeleteThanks, Janie! I really appreciate you remembering this and sharing this info. If I can use only one, I'm a happy camper. And a while looks much nicer, so I'm game :)
ReplyDeleteMartha, Martha, Martha, you are a joy.
DeleteHelpful! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteShe who flunked english thanks you for this
ReplyDeleteThis is helpful even though my head now hurts. I never got great grades when it came to grammar
ReplyDeleteI don't want to argue about it but I could use some example sentences to help me grasp the concept. I also read your comment above about "alright" which I think would make a great follow-up post. Thank you for trying to teach us!
ReplyDeleteI need to sleep for a while.
DeleteI need to sleep awhile.
I'm going home in a while.
I hope these examples don't confuse you. They're correct but we've agreed we all prefer a while, even if, technically, it should be awhile.
Did your Tricker Treaters stay for a while? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Janie - great explanations for us. Thankfully those two don't worry me - but I see so many errors in newspapers, publications and in the street ... that I worry - but I'm grey already, so why worry! Cheers and have a good weekend - Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou explain the finer points of grammar well, Janie, and I appreciate it. Thank you!
ReplyDelete