WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED
by Marie Villarreal

Dear Reader,

What a saga I have for you this month! Had I the time, I could make you weep and wail with this tale of broken promises, betrayal and shattered dreams. Yes, another renovation story!

I've just spent the morning at my daughter's home while the tiler finished the grouting - the final phase in her kitchen renovation. And while I was there, whiling away the time, I thought awhile about what to discuss this in this month's feature of Readers and Writers. Bet you can't guess. You have! Brilliant! How'd you do it?

Yep ... this is all about that cantankerous little critter "awhile" and its good mate, "while."

You often see these mixed up, so let's sort them out - with some help from that website, www.dictionary.com: Awhile (adv) means: for a short time. Usage Note: Awhile, an adverb, is never preceded by a preposition such as for, but the two-word form, a while, may be preceded by a preposition. In writing, each of the following is acceptable: stay awhile; stay for a while; stay a while (but not stay for awhile).

Next we come to while - it's a talented little fellow and can be a noun, a conjunction and a verb!

While (n):

1. A period of time: stay for a while; sang all the while
2. The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something: The project wasn't worth my while.

1. As long as: during the time that: It was lovely while it lasted.
2. At the same time that; although: While the grandparents love the children, they are strict with them.
3. Whereas: and: The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.

1. To spend (time) idly or pleasantly: while the hours away

So there you have it - yet another case of easy-when-you-know-how. One of the pleasant ways I spent my time is composing letters to send to the various businesses that have disappointed my daughter. It's a very satisfying past time, choosing just the right turn of a phrase to make those rotters squirm. (The tiler was not one of those who earned my wrath I have to point out - he came when he promised, charged only what he quoted - and he did a terrific job).

I was enjoying the thought of being able to avenge these wrongs heaped upon my unwary daughter! Notice I didn't say I would take revenge ... that's something you do out of spite ... I was after vengeance - just and true!

Oh, oh! Back to dictionary.com