awhile, a while, while

Do not confuse the adverb awhile with the noun phrase a while:

            awhile (adverb):                        We stood awhile on the dock; awhile back.

            a while (article and noun):      We stood for a while on the dock; a while ago; wait a while.

At the beginning of sentences, while may be used in place of though, although, or whereas:

            While most Canadians speak English, Québécois speak French.