awhile

IPA/əˈwaɪl/
KK[əwˈaɪl]IPA/əˈwaɪl/

awhile — adverb

1. for a brief period; used after a verb to say that the action lasts only a small

1.副詞B1
釋義

for a brief period; used after a verb to say that the action lasts only a small amount of time.

例句

Dario sat down on the park bench to rest awhile before walking home.

verb + awhile pattern after a physical action

Please stay awhile and tell Élise about your trip to Kyoto.

imperative + stay awhile (inviting someone to remain a bit longer)

同義詞
  • briefly

    more formal; usually placed before the verb (he briefly paused)

  • momentarily

    American English meaning 'for a moment'; can sound more dramatic

  • for a bit

    informal spoken alternative; uses the noun phrase, not the adverb

反義詞
  • permanently

    for an unlimited time, not for a short span

  • forever

    informal opposite of a brief stay

文法句型

verb + awhile

用法筆記

Written as one word and used only adverbially (after a verb). Distinguish from the noun phrase 'a while', which follows a preposition such as 'for' or 'in' — write 'wait for a while', not 'wait for awhile'.

常見錯誤

❌Kian rested for awhile before lunch.
✅Kian rested for a while before lunch.
💡after a preposition, use the two-word noun phrase 'a while'.
❌Sophia needs an awhile to think.
✅Sophia needs a while to think.
💡'awhile' cannot follow an article or be the object of a verb.