I wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"I wait" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use "I wait" in a sentence to express that someone is currently waiting for something to happen, or is in a state of waiting. It can also be used to express a habitual or ongoing action. Example: "I wait anxiously for the bus every morning." (habitual action) "I wait patiently for my turn in line." (current action) "I wait for the perfect moment to ask her out." (future action).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I wait.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I wait until tomorrow.

The New Yorker

I wait for catastrophes.

The New York Times

So I wait.

The New York Times

Should I wait?

The New York Times

I wait for more.

The Guardian

I wait anxiously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, I wait.

The Guardian

But still I wait.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, I wait.

The New York Times

"I wait my turn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wait" to create a sense of anticipation or suspense in your writing. It's simple and direct, making it effective for conveying a feeling of expectation.

Common error

Avoid repeating "I wait" excessively in a narrative, as it can make the pacing feel stagnant. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "I paused", "I lingered", or "I anticipated" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I wait" is to serve as an independent clause expressing an action performed by the speaker. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts, such as expressing anticipation, patience, or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I wait" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a state of anticipation or ongoing action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It frequently appears in news and media sources, indicating a neutral formality level. While simple, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases like "I am waiting" or "I anticipate" to maintain variety in writing. Overall, "I wait" is a versatile and reliable phrase for expressing expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am waiting

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of waiting.

I am anticipating

Emphasizes a sense of looking forward to something specific.

I await

A more formal and literary way to express waiting.

I'm expecting

Suggests a higher degree of certainty about what is coming.

I look forward to

Expresses eagerness and positive anticipation.

I bide my time

Implies waiting strategically for an opportune moment.

I hold on

Suggests waiting through a difficult or challenging situation.

I stand by

Implies readiness and preparedness while waiting.

I remain

Indicates a state of continuing to wait without change.

I pause

Suggests a temporary stop or break while waiting for something to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "I wait" in a sentence?

The phrase "I wait" is typically followed by a prepositional phrase indicating what you are waiting for, such as, "I wait for the bus" or "I wait until the rain stops."

What are some alternatives to "I wait" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "I am waiting", "I anticipate", or "I await" to express a similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I wait"?

Yes, "I wait" is grammatically correct. It uses the present simple tense to describe a current or habitual action of waiting.

What is the difference between "I wait" and "I'm waiting"?

"I wait" generally indicates a habitual action or a general state of waiting, while "I'm waiting" uses the present continuous tense to emphasize that you are currently in the process of waiting for something specific.