'Awhile' and 'A While' - Conversational English Lesson

source: Twominute English     2013年5月10日
The adverb 'awhile' refers to a short time. Never use a preposition, like for, before this word. The article 'a' before the word 'while' shows us that 'while' is a noun; it means a period of time. In this lesson we will study about 'awhile' and 'a while'.
Exercises for this lesson: http://twominenglish.com/video/265--A...
Facebook: http://facebook.com/twominenglish
App for your Android Device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...

0:07 In this lesson we will talk about ‘Awhile’ and ‘A while’.
0:21 Hello, everybody. Today we’ll talk about two similar ways to refer to periods of time: ‘awhile’ and ‘a while’.
0:29 Did you notice that the pronunciation is the same?
0:32 Yeah, it is! This is great! I always get confused when I have to choose which one to use.
0:38 Not anymore, Quentin. The adverb ‘awhile’ refers to a short time. We never use a preposition, like for, before this word.
0:48 Ok. So it’s appropriate to say that I’ll go to the mall and only stay awhile.
0:53 Right. I let my son play awhile after lunch, before he does his homework.
1:00 You’re a cool mom, Faiga. Does your son like to read? I like to read awhile before I go to bed at night.
1:07 He does, too! Some people prefer to watch TV, but he’d rather read a good book.
1:13 And what about ‘a while’?
1:16 In this case, the article ‘a’ before the word ‘while’ shows us that ‘while’ is a noun; it means a period of time.
1:25 In other words, I could substitute it for another noun, like ‘year’, for example. And I can use a preposition before ‘a while’, like for a while.
1:36 I see. Yesterday my brother visited me and stayed for a while; or for a minute.
1:43 That’s right. On the other hand, we can substitute ‘awhile’ for another adverb, like quietly, for example.
1:50 I told my son to wait awhile before going outside, or I told him to wait quietly before going outside.
1:58 The meanings are different, but the structure is the same.
2:02 I think I got it! I won’t mix them up again. Let’s see some more examples.
2:14 Hi, Joe. Did you get here a long time ago?
2:18 No, I got here a little while ago. Do you want to get a cup of coffee?
2:23 Sure. But I can only stay awhile. I have a French class in about half an hour.
2:30 No problem. I can’t stay too long, either. We’ll just sit and talk awhile.
2:35 Do you remember my aunt Matilda? She’s going to be in town for a while and wants to see you.
2:41 Oh, man!! Of course I remember aunt Matilda!! She’s a riot!
2:52 I had a great time. The last time I laughed so much was a while ago. Remember when we went to your aunt’s beach house?
3:00 Of course I do! We would always stay awhile at her house before Christmas.
3:05 Good times. I wish I were a kid again…it would be nice to spend a while just laughing and playing…
3:16 I let my son play awhile after lunch, before he does his homework.
3:26 I like to read awhile before I go to bed.
3:32 Yesterday my brother visited me and stayed for a while.
3:40 I told my son to wait awhile before going outside.
3:51 No, I got here a little while ago.
3:57 But I can only stay awhile.
4:03 We’ll just sit and talk awhile.
4:09 The last time I laughed so much was a while ago.