Nouns

“A while” vs. “Awhile”

Adverbs, Common English Blunders, Nouns, Versus

I often see these two used interchangeably.

Problem:
“A while” is not the same as “awhile”.

Explanation:
The noun “while” means period or interval of time.

The noun phrase “a while” means a short time, so one correctly can say “He stayed for a while.”, which means He stayed for a short time., or one correctly can say “He stayed a while.”, which means He stayed a short time..

The adverb “awhile” means for a short time. Notice the “for” in the definition of “awhile”. So the meaning of “He stayed awhile.” would be He stayed for a short time. And it would be INCORRECT to write “He stayed for awhile.” because one would then have two “for”s in the translation: He stayed for for a short time.

Solution:
Use “a while” when you need a noun phrase; use “awhile” when you need an adverb.

“Step 1. Walkup to the bar.”

Common English Blunders, Nouns, Verbs

I saw this in a Jose Cuervo Black Medallion television advertisement.

Problem:
There is no verb in this (non-)sentence.

Explanation:
The word “walkup” is a noun and means an above-ground-floor apartment home or office with no elevator.

The writer of the television advertisement should have used the verb phrase “walk up” instead of the noun “walkup”.

The verb phrase “walk up” in the context of what was intended by the writer means go.

In other words, “walkup” and “walk up” are not synonyms!

Solution:
“Step 1. Walk up to the bar.”

“Translator” vs. “Interpreter”

Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Nouns

I often hear “translator” when people mean “interpreter”.

Problem:
The noun “interpreter” should be used when one specifically is referring to something spoken.

Explanation:
The primary definition of the noun “translator” is someone who translates written text from one language to another. The primary definition of the noun “interpreter” is someone who provides an oral interpretation between speakers who speak different languages.

In other words, “translator” is for written language, whereas “interpreter” is for spoken language.

Many will use “translator” when what they really mean is “interpreter”. I believe that this is consistent with my “Devolution toward Simpler” linguistic hypothesis. The noun “translator” has three syllables; the noun “interpreter” has four syllables and is more difficult to say.

Solution:
Use “translator” when you’re talking about someone who converts written text from one language to another language. Use “intepreter” when you’re talking about someone who converts spoken text from one language to another language.