Awhile versus A While - Commonly Confused Words

Its easy to confuse the adverb awhile with the two-word noun phrase a while: the main difference between them is grammatical.The adverb awhile (one word) means for a short time: Stay awhile. The noun phrase a while (two words) refers to a period of time: I sat for a while and waited. Also, see the usage notes below. Examples Before removing the radiator cap, wait awhile for the engine to cool.I havent been to a football game in a long while. Usage Notes Awhile is an adverb, with the same meaning as the adverbial prepositional phrase for a while: Lets rest awhile; Lets rest for a while. When for a while cannot be substituted for awhile, awhile should be a while: spend a while with me. When for occurs, awhile should not follow; Stay for awhile should be Stay for a while or Stay awhile.(Edward Johnson, The Handbook of Good English. Washington Square Press, 1991)As a noun, spell it as two words:  a while. As an adverb, spell it as one:  awhile.(Bryan Garner, Garners Modern American Usage. Oxford University Press, 2009) Practice (a) Lifes short. If you dont look around once in _____ you might miss it.(Ferris Bueller in the movie  Ferris Buellers Day Off, 1986)(b) Merdine invited me to stay ____ longer, but it was getting late. Answers to Practice Exercises: Awhile and A While a) Lifes short. If you dont look around once in a while you might miss it. (Ferris Bueller)(b) Merdine invited me to stay awhile longer, but it was getting late.   Glossary of Usage: Index of Commonly Confused Words