Is it for a while or for awhile?

Is it for a while or for awhile?

Awhile is an adverb that means “for a while,” whereas “while” is a noun meaning “a period of time.” Generally, you should use the two word form, “a while,” when following a preposition (I will read for a while), or with the words ago or back (a while ago/back).

Is it in a while or for a while?

First off, both “in a while” and “for a while” are grammatical and idiomatic per se. However, to me, “for a while” would mean that their hearing from you is an ongoing process, which you interrupted for some time — or well, for a while —, but then resumed.

Is it correct to say in a while?

And in certain constructions, “in” is more idiomatic—“once in a while” … “see you in a while.” But in others, “after” might seem more natural—“After a while, the pain subsided” … “After a while, we decided to leave.” Both “in a while” and “after a while” have been common English phrases for hundreds of years.

How long do people mean when they say a while?

The study has discovered “a while” estimates a length of 4 months whereas “a little while” would be a little less at 3 months’ time. Going a little further, “a while back” would indicate the potential of occurring up to 8 months in the past.

How do you write it’s been a while?

it is: “It’s been a while” Awhile is an adverb, and a while is a noun phrase.

How long is quite a while?

“Quite a while” means “a pretty long time”. It’s not a really long time, but it’s also not a short length of time. Exactly how long “quite a while” means depends on the situation. It can mean minutes, days, or even millions of years.

Is has been a while?

“It has been a while” is one way to indicate that time has passed since something happened. In informal English, “it has” is sometimes shortened to “it’s.” The apostrophe is needed because it shows where some letters were removed.

How often is once in a while?

: sometimes but not often : from time to time : occasionally We still see each other every once in a while.

Is this sentence correct it’s been a while?

Grammatical Correctness I believe both are grammatically correct. If you take out the apostrophes you can write: It has been a while since I have sat at a dinner table together with a family. It has been a while since I sat at a dinner table together with a family.

How do you reply to it’s been a while?

The positive reply is usually Good, thanks, often followed by a similar question. In the UK people may say Yeah, good, thanks, and in the US people may say Real good, thanks. (You might notice that the grammatically correct Really well, thanks is not used very much in informal spoken English.)

How long is once and a while?

The phrase “Once in a while” means one time in an arbitrary (indefinite, nonspecific) time period. As such, it has come to mean repeatedly one such time in one such arbitrary period, that is, multiple arbitrary occurrences in multiple arbitrary time periods.

What happens once in a while?

If something happens once in a while, it happens sometimes, but not very often.

Which is correct, ” in a while ” or ” for a while?

If the action or non-action belongs in the past and continues in the present, then it is more fluent Standard English to use for: I haven’t seen you for a while/for a long time. [= It has been a while/a long time since I saw you.] If the action belongs in the future, then, and only then, is “in a while” correct.

When to use ” in a while ” and ” for a month “?

If you won’t return from vacation in a week, then you will still be gone a week from now, with no indication of when you will actually return. This usage typically indicates a deviation from plans or expectations: We can’t get the job done in a month.

What does it mean when someone says in a while?

in a while. This phrase indicates a time some distance away – usually, but not always, in the future. If you go on vacation in a week, you will not leave until a week from now. If you won’t return from vacation in a week, then you will still be gone a week from now, with no indication of when you will actually return.

When to use ” haven’t heard anything from you in a while “?

What you want instead is “in a while”, which also means “for some period of time” but without implying that the contact has been re-established already, or indeed ever will be. Which is the whole point of that sentence, after all. It’s just a reminder that it should be. So I would most definitely say, “Haven’t heard anything from you in a while”.