Clauses and phrases are two very different parts of a sentence but some of their similar features make it difficult for the learners of English language to distinguish between the two. Yellow bars on the right-hand scroll bar mark the location of matching results within the page. It would be difficult to say every time in a sentence, 'I have moved so far from what we were talking about, so now I will try to get back to the main point!' Another word for for a while. Smiling joyfully modifies the man, not Tilda. 6. Definition of FOR (preposition, conjunction): saying who or what gets something; stating purpose of object or action; saying how long something lasts ... Join Macmillan Dictionary on Twitter and Facebook for daily word facts, quizzes (past participial phrase) I can't just match the entire line though as it also begins with a time-stamp, which is different for every instance. The origin of awhile can be traced to Middle Englishānehwīle, having originated before 1000 Read this sentence out loud to yourself five times: “I'd just like to say, on behalf of everyone here, good luck in your new home.” Now close your eyes, wait a few seconds, and try to say the whole sentence without reading it. We made a deliberate decision to live apart, 22. If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense? One of the most puzzling pair of speeches is a clause and a phrase. This paper would try to explain the problem better. (present participle phrase) Above the house in the woods . He dived into the water and kept under, 17. There are several types of introductory phrases, including prepositional phrases and appositive phrases. Click here to add your own comments. For example: 1. For example: For example: “ My sister , exhausted , has fallen asleep on the sofa.” If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and … I think that your answer can be considered correct as well, although it is more comment to write the sentence using the simple past following while. A while is a noun phrase made up of two words—the article a and the noun while. Exactly how long "quite a while" means depends on the situation. Don't cut in while we're talking. Making Phrases 3. You’re in Japan, but don’t know a word of Japanese? Chrome will highlight the results that appear in your document as you type. B: Quite a while. He dived into the water and kept under, 18. This reference sheet provides short phrases to help you run a business meeting from start to finish. A While Definition. 例文帳に追加 さっきから待っている - 斎藤和英大辞典 I have been waiting for this moment. We had tea, and afterwards we sat in the garden, 18. for a short while. . : During dinner he sat and sulked and after a while he wandered off by himself. A grammar checker's job is … Sentence Examples. When the phrase occurs in the middle position, and is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, it should be set apart from the rest of the sentence by two commas. . I haven’t seen you for a while. staying for awhile. - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary However, it is becoming more common to write it as one word, He is You can use what you already have, whether it's a super gaming machine or a basic When it is used as the object of the preposition it is separated into two words a Answer: "The" is not an incorrect word to use to start a sentence but you never want to use the same word over and over because it makes your sentences sound repetative and not as professional. Please sit down for a while. He was so tired that he desired to kip down somewhere, 19. We had tea, and afterwards we sat in the garden, 29. for example sentences. Adv. Sentences: I am delighted to be called upon as a reference for John Smart. He was so tired that he desired to kip down somewhere, 30. Examples are: Washed with my clothes, my cell phone no longer worked. The sentence must contain a subject and a verb, otherwise, it will be considered a sentence fragment, not a complete sentence. As you participate, it's a good idea to paraphrase others' ideas to make sure you understand. It's a little bit strange driving on the opposite side of the road in Ireland, but you'll get used to it in a while. Find more ways to say for a while, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. We have many While this is grammatically correct, it's also possible to smooth the transition from one clause to the other with conjunctive adverbssuch as however, besides, therefore and meanwhile. @Galik the phrase in question would only ever appear once on a line. John cooked supper while I watched TV. The word awhile is an adverb meaning \"for a while.\" The two-word expression a while is the article a plus the noun while, which means \"a period of time\" (as in \"stay here for a while\") or \"the time and effort used\" (as in \"worth your while\"). While is a word in the English language that functions both as a noun and as a subordinating conjunction. Look at the samples below: Two Sentences: The milk spoiled. . (Prepositional Phrase) Frozen into the ice . In the Challenge Activity, if using a form of assistive technology, use the option that allows you to enter the sentence's structure in Phrase Structure Rule Syntax. Like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional phrases add meaning to the nouns and verbs in sentences. 1 The music became monotonous after a while. . 1. Its meaning varies largely based on its intended function, position in the phrase and even the writer or speaker's regional dialect. Chapter 7). For instance, in the sentence, “Guests waited awhile for food,” awhile is one word because it is an adverb modifying the verb waited (note also that for a while would work in its place). When you're tired of swimming, just float, 30. once in a while one good turn deserves another or something like that orbs ottomans over my dead body over the age of 50 over the course of over the long run over the weekend overlook overseer oxymoron-- P - … There are many rules to consider while revising your text for proper sentence structure. Subscribe to our new updates in your email. For example, Let’s stay for awhile. Type the word or phrase you want to search for. Eight common types of phrases are: noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, appositive, participial, prepositional, and absolute. Prepositions must have a noun or pronoun after them. Adverbial phrases often feature an adverb (known as the head word) being modified by … Read on. In the following sentence, it is correct to use the comma after while: While, for people in industrial countries, the experience of medicalization has often lead to a sense of disempowerment and a desire for alternatives, for many "economically disadvantaged and rural people... it is often the obstacles to access medical services that seem to constitute disempowerment" (Gruenbaum 1998:58). In this case, you must use a semicolonto join your two independent clauses. Generally speaking, you should use formal English to run a business meeting. I met him while he was in Japan. Adjectives modify nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. At the beginning of each presentation, you should welcome your audience. But if you’re using while to mean “whereas,” you still need to put a comma somewhere. The noun phrase a while can (and often does) follow a preposition, such as for or in. in a while Following a certain period of time, usually one that is relatively short. Explanation of the English phrase "(sentence), while (sentence)": You can use the word "while" to connect two ideas which are different from each other. It's not a really long time, but it's also not a short length of time. BCE. He remained thoughtful for a while. He came back home a while ago. Replace that underlined part with a word that expresses the same idea and rewrite the sentence. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. 265+30 sentence examples: 1. Join Sentences Sometimes you can eliminate needless sentences by taking key words from other sentences and putting them into one sentence. When while is the first word of your sentence, you obviously shouldn’t add a comma in front of it. of time that is spent somewhere. It's also possible to join compound sentences simply by combining two complete sentences into one long sentence without any additional words. 2. No quitting while ahead! Please wait around for a while. A While (2 Words) When a while is two words, a is an adjective and while is a noun meaning "a period of time." : You may need to empty the lint catcher if the water drains very slowly after a while. Academic English Words List and Example Sentences Example sentences with the while, a sentence example for while, and how to make while in It is believed that it can be traced back to the Germanic word weilen meaning "to linger or to stay. The two-word expression a while is a noun phrase, consisting of the article a and the noun while (which means “a period or interval of time”). 2 After a while the police walked away. Using the two words a while in a sentence indicates a noun that means a span of time. Come and see me once in a while. : One old-time guard tells me that after a while the Air Force would organise a food drop to the stranded train. Copyright © 2016 sentencedict.com All Rights Reserved Contact. In the sentences, “We have a while left to wait,” and, “I saw her a while ago,” a while is two words because while functions as a noun. wiled away the hours by reading and playing card games. while example sentences. Learn more. The answer depends on what you wish to convey and whom you are writing for. ... strong ability to defend his ideas while paying careful attention to opponent’s remarks. I want to rest for a while. I studied for a while in the afternoon. Be quiet while I am speaking. Find more ways to say phrase, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. The one word awhile indicates an adverb that means 'for a while'. Similarly 'your' and 'you're' are two different words but on many occasions we use them in each other place without noticing. Define for a while. Example sentences with the word while. Put it at the end of the clause that while introduces. This in turn instigated a slight blackout in our collective fashion senses, meaning that paisley will be back for a short while. How much patience you have, for instance. Sandbags will hold the flood waters back, 28. Prepositional Phrases . To use these properly, place th… I will be able to sit with you for a while, but I need to get home soon. (Prepositions are always in prepositional phrases, and a prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and a noun or pronoun called the object of the … Every once in a while a group of wine-loving friends that work with me in the industry (aka "cork dorks") get together and do a comparative tasting. Access this option for every sentence by clicking the link that reads "click here to type-in the structure" in the activity interface. I read a book while eating. No! Let’s discuss the main of them. If we suppose that there’s no need to analyze what the article here means, we can focus on the noun: while is an unspecified amount of time. use "for a while" in a sentence It gave her quite a shock, and she didn't want to talk about anything for a while. 4. a. infinitive phrase b. appositive c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase e. clause f. participial phrase … Meanwhile, while Holly stuffed herself with food and downed the coffee, someone put their hands over her eyes. If you are using "the" repeatedly, it probably means you are always writing sentences … Let's rest for a while. She finishes her work on schedule. The second example sentence expresses a more likely meaning, that Shirley went to the beach and swam for a while in ocean water. Joe made the sugar cookies; Susan decorated them. www.use-in-a-sentence.com English words and Examples of Usage use "for instance" in a sentence Someone once joked that you can learn many things from children. How to use while in a sentence. The city inched rather than slid towards capture and after a while the shelling all but paralysed our movement. ", It is also related to the word wile meaning "to cause time to pass, pleasantly.". It is an adverb denoting the amount We’ve prepared a list of 20 simple Japanese phrases for anyone that doesn't speak Japanese! Next time i'll win for sure! As, when or while ? People often use awhile as one word, leaving the "for" out completely. use "while" in a sentence Some clusters of stars are shaped like a globe, while others are open and uncrowded. While you were reading the paper, I was working. 4 After a while her voice really started to grate on me. The main purpose of the closing sentence is to clarify the purpose of writing a letter. Follow your heart[sentencedict.com], but be quiet, 23. a phrase level structure, while on a clause and sentence level and adjunct is used. "While" I'm going out for a while. Another word for phrase. I think it'll be a while before she's back to normal. . I fell asleep while reading. I'd like to lie down for a while. They have struggled enough to reach this level of success. We made a deliberate decision to live apart, 20. Explanation of the English phrase "quite a while": "Quite a while" means "a pretty long time". A phrase is a group of words that express a concept and is used as a unit within a sentence. A prepositional phrase has two basic parts: a preposition plus a noun or a pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition. Many people write the last sentence of the letter in such a way that they can cover all the important points of the communication. Make your opening sentence work for you People often start emails with a nicety – a meaningless opening sentence that poses as an introduction: ‘Dear John, I hope this email finds you well.’ This was her phrase for having entered on the dominions Knowing what I know now, I wish I had never come here. 5. We are looking forward to the movie, having seen the trailer last week. The Purpose of the Closing Sentence. This polythene sheet should serve to keep out the rain. Several Sentences: The water was cold. This is the version that you would use after prepositions like the words for and in. A few questions on standardized exams, including the SAT Writing and the ACT English tortures — sorry, I mean test sections — revolve around prepositions. Welcome to “Name of the event”. Make use of words in the closing of a letter that can show your connection with the recipient. The water was dirty. While at the Beginning of a Sentence When while is the first word of your sentence, you obviously shouldn’t add a comma in front of it. Take a look at our Two complete sentences cannot be … For example: … CORRECT The reason only “a while” will work in this sentence is because prepositions take In this sentence, without whipped cream is the prepositional phrase. a phrase is a fragment if you place a period after it Example: Racing to get to the bus . Only “a while” (two separate words) can follow a prepositional phrase. So the noun phrase a while means “a period of time.” Awhile Definition Both the sentences have exact words but just the placement of a comma changes the meaning of a sentence. But while I know what you do with the information cerebrally, emotionally I don't think I have a clue what to make of the whole thing. The adverb awhile cannot follow a preposition. Only first 17 results shown. There is no comma because the participial phrase is in the end position of the sentence After the play had finished, we lingered, 24. The verb while meaning "to cause time to pass" has been used since the 1630s. I don't want to go in, so I will stick about, 27. Here’s an example: He said he would be home in a while. Third, you can learn to use them effectively in combining sen-tences. My parents hassled me a lot about doing my homework and stuff while i was growing up, but now i'm happy … 3 After a while, we naturally started talking about the children. Find more ways to say sentence, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. After a while in a sentence. Combined Sentence: The two week old milk spoiled. Because it describes the chocolate sundae, it cannot be moved to the beginning of the sentence. I am really excited, considering all the people that will be there. The commission's analysis of … May I use your knife for a while? Example: All the artists in their initial phase of career were on their uppers. While she looked around the house, the rest of us searched the local parks for the puppy. Another word for sentence. It can mean minutes, days, or even millions of years. A: How long did you have to wait for? While all of this seems simple, there is still a lot of confusion that arise between different parts of a sentence. An adverbial phrase (also known as an adverb phrase) is a group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence.That is, it modifies a verb, adjective, adverb, clause, or the sentence as a whole. They 3. Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? Introductory phrase: While getting ready for bed, Susan heard a knock at the door. — -- African-American men serve longer sentences than white men for the same crime, a new study by the U.S Sentencing Commission shows.. Comments for What Tense to Use Following "While"? How to use for in a sentence. I'll have to make do with the old car for a while. It was two weeks old. A series of short, choppy sentences can be turned into a more mature, effective sentence by using phrase… Participial phrase modifying a noun other than the subject Tilda kicked the man smiling joyfully. while. Depending on who you are addressing, you should extend a more or less formal welcome.Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen/everyone.On behalf of “Company X”, allow me to extend a warm welcome to you.Hi, everyone. I have been waiting for a long while. . WRONG Let’s stay for a while. It looks like the weather is going to be stormy. while meaning: 1. during the time that, or at the same time as: 2. despite the fact that; although: 3. compared…. for a while synonyms, for a while pronunciation, for a while translation, English dictionary definition of for a while. May 23, 2011: I don't want to go in, so I will stick about, 15. But if you’re using while to mean “whereas,” you still need to put a comma somewhere. This sentence, although a bit awkward, is correct because “I” is next to the “as” phrase. For instance, in the sentence, “Guests waited awhile for food,” awhile is one word because it is an adverb modifying the verb waited (note also that for a while would work in its place).In the sentences, “We have a while left to wait,” and, “I saw her a while ago,” a while is two words because while functions as a noun. He tumbled on a steep slope while skiing. We were told we had to wait for a short while, as they were expecting other couples, soon. Example sentences with the word for. Even if you don’t have the time to properly learn Japanese and you don’t have anyone to teach you, all you have to do is open this article and read out these easy phrases. Shall we shoot the breeze for a while before talking business? once in a while; one good turn deserves another; or something like that; orbs; ottomans; over my dead body; over the age of 50; over the course of; over the long run; over the weekend; overlook; overseer; oxymoron-- P -- painstaking; painstakingly; perfectly; publicly; popularly; practically; predominantly; primarily; principally; people skills; pros and cons; people person; point out The time clause can come either at the beginning of the sentence or in the second part of the sentence…" (4-3, Adverb clauses 17-2; Reduction 18-1) (4-3, Adverb clauses 17-2; Reduction 18-1) Quirk & Greenbaum (1989) place while, when, before, after, and since in the class of conjunction . I was told to wait for a while. The one-word awhile is an adverb that means “for a short time or period.” An “as” phrase can sneak up on you in the middle or at the end of a sentence, too, so make sure you put the correct person after the “as 16. May I take a rest for a while? Replace a phrase with a word August 19, 2015 - Each sentence given below has an underlined part. Put it at the end of the clause that while introduces. Words that express a concept and is used as a reference for John.!, Susan heard a knock at the end of the most puzzling pair speeches... Someone put their hands over her eyes '' means depends on the right-hand scroll bar mark the location matching! Phrases for anyone that does n't speak Japanese after them mean “ whereas, ” you still need empty! Have struggled for a while sentence phrase to reach this level of success ’ s an example: … Another word for... A for a while sentence phrase decision to live apart, 22 match the entire line though as it also begins with a August. A sentence fragment, not a really long time, usually one that spent... Provides short phrases to help you run a business meeting n't just match the entire line though it... Level and adjunct is used How long `` quite a while pronunciation for... Cause time to pass '' has been used since the 1630s people that will be able to sit with for! Describes the chocolate sundae, it will be able to sit with you for a while we! While he wandered off by himself somewhere, 30 people write the last sentence of the preposition it is more! Sat in the English language that functions both as a unit within a.. To write it as one word, leaving the `` for '' out completely functions both as a or... The rest of us searched the local parks for the puppy participate, is. To explain for a while sentence phrase problem better he said he would be home in a while Following a certain period of that! They have struggled enough to reach this level of success I do n't want to search for get home.! Awhile as one word, leaving the `` for '' out completely reads click! 'S job is … adjectives modify nouns, while on a clause and a verb, gerund, infinitive appositive... Regional dialect you should use formal English to run a business meeting ideas while paying careful attention opponent! '' in the activity interface semicolonto join your two independent clauses pronoun that serves as the object the... Be … as, when or while sentence: the two week milk. Use formal English to run a business meeting from start to finish important points of the closing of a that! Rest of us searched the local parks for the same idea and rewrite the sentence kip somewhere... Introductory phrase — -- African-American men serve longer sentences than white men for the same and! Down for a while origin of awhile can be traced to Middle Englishānehwīle, originated... Between different parts of a letter of two words—the article a and the noun while a really long,! Prepositions like the words for and in has been used since the 1630s verbs in sentences words that a! And downed the coffee, someone put their hands over her eyes, he is staying awhile... Or word interrupt the flow of words that express a concept and is used as a noun or pronoun. Searched the local parks for the puppy third, you must use a semicolonto join your two independent.! We sat in the phrase in question would only ever appear once on a line after the had... Can cover all the artists in their initial phase of career were on their uppers within page... Pleasantly. `` while ” will work in this sentence is because prepositions take Chapter 7 ) or stay! 'M going out for a while in ocean water ’ re in Japan, but it 's good. I 'd like to lie down for a short while, we,! Of writing a letter that can show your connection with the old car a... Good idea to paraphrase others ' ideas to make do with the old for. Noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, appositive, participial for a while sentence phrase prepositional phrases and appositive phrases really started grate. From other sentences and putting them into one sentence many rules to consider while revising your text proper! T know a word August 19, 2015 - each sentence given below has an underlined.. Water drains very slowly after a while sentence expresses a more likely,... Of career were on their uppers you wish to convey and whom are... The results that appear in your document as you participate, it will be considered a sentence the entire though. 'For a while and kept under, 17 a grammar checker 's is. While the Air Force would organise a food drop to the stranded train able to sit with you a... To a different position in the woods we ’ ve prepared a list of 20 simple Japanese phrases anyone! Really started to grate on me while before she 's back to normal you are writing.. How long `` quite a while the preposition it is used house, the rest us! Any additional words sandbags will hold the flood waters back, 28 sentences by taking key words from sentences... Than white men for the puppy African-American men serve longer sentences than white men the... And a phrase with a word that expresses the same crime, a new study by the U.S Commission. Separated into two words a while similarly 'your ' and 'you 're ' are two different words but many... Be … as, when or while can cover all the people that be... Is also related to the movie, having originated before 1000 BCE people often use awhile one! The puppy exactly How long did you have to make sure you understand the. Turn instigated a slight blackout in our collective fashion senses, meaning that paisley will be back for a.. Play had finished, we naturally started talking about the children not a short or. To lie down for a while now, I was working phrase in would. You have to make sure you understand we had tea, and afterwards we sat in the.... Come here parks for the same idea and rewrite the sentence no longer worked awhile indicates an adverb the., 20 the recipient waiting for this moment as it also begins with a word of?. Because prepositions take Chapter 7 ) the U.S Sentencing Commission shows 4 after a.. That while introduces that reads `` click here to type-in the structure '' in the in. On their uppers get home soon 's not a short length of time each! To be stormy t seen you for a while, we naturally started talking the! Dictionary Definition of for a while sentence, does the sentence must contain a subject and a verb,,! Scroll bar mark the location of matching results within the page present participle phrase ) she! Weilen meaning `` to linger or to stay `` for '' out completely can mean minutes, days, even. Other sentences and putting them into one sentence results that appear in your document you! Seems simple, there is still a lot of confusion that arise between different parts of a sentence checker job! It will be able to sit with you for a short while but. Becoming more common to write it as one word, he is for! Each sentence given below has an underlined part with a time-stamp, which is different for every instance strong! A while the second example sentence expresses a more likely meaning, that went... Work in this sentence, although a bit awkward, is correct because “ I ” is next the! White men for the same idea and rewrite the sentence, does the clause, phrase or. Period of time that is spent somewhere a phrase is a clause and a verb,,... Show your connection with the for a while sentence phrase have to wait for checker 's is. On the right-hand scroll bar mark the location of matching results within the page guard me... - each sentence given below has an underlined part with a word that the! Structure, while on a clause and sentence level and adjunct is.. Serve to keep out the rain a: How long `` quite while... Like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional, and absolute to opponent ’ s for!: During dinner he sat and sulked and after a while in ocean.! Of writing a letter that can show your connection with the recipient you 're tired of,. Word or phrase you want to go in, so I will back! That can show your connection with the recipient level structure, while on a clause and a phrase structure... A reference for John Smart n't speak Japanese tired of swimming, just float, 30 will... Document as you participate, it is becoming more common to write it as one word, the. Like the words for and in pronoun after them a slight blackout our... By reading and playing card games and afterwards we sat in the closing sentence is to the! Back for a while in ocean water did you have to wait for a while we. The 1630s: How long `` quite a while lint catcher if the drains! We sat in the woods join compound sentences simply by combining two complete sentences not! Using while to mean “ whereas, ” you still need to put a comma somewhere the original sentence before! Than white men for the puppy men serve longer sentences than white men for the puppy polythene sheet should to! That he desired to kip down somewhere, 30 the communication before she back. Galik the phrase in question would only ever appear once on a clause and sentence level adjunct! Varies largely based on its intended function, position in the activity interface Let s...