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quite a while vs quite awhile

Both "quite a while" and "quite awhile" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Quite a while" is the more common and formal way to express a long period of time, while "quite awhile" is a more informal and colloquial version of the same phrase.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 7179 views

quite a while

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a long period of time.

This phrase is used to express a significant amount of time, often in a formal context. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English.

Examples:

  • I haven't seen her in quite a while.
  • It took quite a while to finish the project.
  • We waited for quite a while before the show started.
  • He has been working on this for quite a while.
  • It will be quite a while before we reach our destination.
  • 5 days ago ... Example Sentences. Recent Examples on the Web Zendaya stuck with the network for quite a while—starring in Disney Channel ...
  • Jan 13, 2022 ... Rock critic Ken Tucker says "Barn" is the best Neil Young album in quite a while. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CHANGE AIN'T NEVER GONNA").
  • If something takes very long to happen, we say it takes quite a while. Something that happened a long time ago might have happened a while ago.
  • In so doing, Korkmaz speaks to the complexity of love and attachment, and to the mind's resilient capacity to also reassemble, arrange, and mend. quite a while.
  • Oct 11, 2013 ... The U.S. Federal Reserve will maintain its ultra-easy monetary policy for quite a while longer, regardless of what decision it takes on when ...
  • Definition of quite a while in the Idioms Dictionary. quite a while phrase. What does quite a while expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom ...

Alternatives:

  • a long time
  • a considerable amount of time
  • a good while
  • a fair amount of time
  • a lengthy period

quite awhile

This phrase is correct but more informal and colloquial compared to "quite a while".

This phrase is used informally to indicate a long period of time. It is more commonly used in spoken English and may not be suitable for formal writing.

Examples:

  • I haven't seen him in quite awhile.
  • It took quite awhile to get here.
  • We waited for quite awhile before leaving.
  • She has been gone for quite awhile.
  • It will be quite awhile before we finish.
  • You were out for quite awhile.
  • Not bad, been quite awhile since I've seen an exhibition of such standard.
  • She saw my ex-wife with me for quite awhile.
  • It's been quite awhile since anybody called me a tyke... but, no, I am Dr. Tobias Fünke.
  • Actually, that was quite awhile ago.
  • I haven't talked to her in quite awhile.
  • Sergeant O'Malley has been doing some surveillance... of Mossi and his crew for quite awhile now.
  • Bought it for quite awhile.

Alternatives:

  • quite a while
  • a long time
  • a considerable amount of time
  • a good while
  • a fair amount of time

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