"quite a while" vs "quite awhile"

Question

"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

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.

Alternatives:

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

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.

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

quite a while

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

Answer 2

quite awhile

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

"quite a while" vs "quite awhile"

quite a while

quite awhile

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