Because so many writers have trouble with this and have asked me this exact question, I've decided to go ahead and make a post out of this with a very short cheat-sheet:
A while = a period of time (can be replaced by a definite period of time)
Awhile = for a time (i.e. can be replaced by an adverb*)
Here are a few examples regarding these two terms:
- Ronnie went to the park for a while
- Ronnie went to the part for an hour
- Ronnie walked to the park for awhile
- Ronnie walked to the park quickly
*For those who aren't sure what an adverb is, in short it's a verb ending in -ly and can be used like an adjective to describe how something (an action) is completed. You can also think of it like a math equation in which verb + adjective = adverb. You can learn more about adverbs under "Helpful Tips" - "More About Adverbs" or read Ann Copeland's The ABC's of Writing Fiction as she features on entire section on adverbs
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