I wait but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wait but" is not correct and sounds incomplete in written English.
It may be used in a context where someone is expressing a sense of anticipation or expectation, but it typically requires additional information to clarify the meaning. Example: "I wait but I am unsure if they will arrive."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I wait, but he does not squeeze.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I waited but no one was doing it, so I decided to," Scholl said.

The Guardian - Business

She told reporters after her final run, "I was really amped as I waited," but then turned lethargic; another reporter said she had been amped up.

The New York Times - Magazine

I waited, but it kept going.

Vice

I waited, but I guess she was asleep.

Vice

Paper and comments embargoed until delivery, so I'll wait, but some very civilized economic discussion to come, later today if I can find time.

The New York Times

(Actually, I can wait, but that's immaterial for the purpose of this post).

TechCrunch

I had to wait but I went to see a psychologist, and she asked a lot of questions.

BMJ Open

"I can hope, I'm waiting, but at the moment I don't count about help from the board.

BBC

"I expected to wait, but people aren't being civil.

The New York Times

And now I continue to wait, but the nature of my waiting has been turned on its head.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I wait but", ensure the sentence is complete and conveys a clear contrast. Adding a clause after "but" provides necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "I wait but" without a clear contrasting idea following the "but". The phrase is grammatically incomplete and requires a subsequent clause to convey its intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wait but" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect the action of waiting with a contrasting element. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incomplete without a subsequent clause to fully express the contrast. Examples show attempts to provide this contrast, but often fall short without further context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I wait but" is grammatically questionable and sounds incomplete without a subsequent clause, according to Ludwig AI. While it appears in various contexts such as News & Media, Science and Formal & Business, its infrequent usage suggests it's not a standard or preferred expression. To improve clarity, consider using alternatives like "I am waiting, however" or restructuring the sentence to fully express the intended contrast. Ensure that when using "I wait but", a clear contrasting element is present to provide necessary context. Given its rarity and grammatical issues, careful consideration is needed before using this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am waiting, however

Replaces "but" with "however", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the contrast.

I am waiting, yet

Substitutes "but" with "yet", providing a similar meaning with a slightly different nuance of expectation.

I'm waiting, even so

Uses "even so" instead of "but", adding emphasis to the contrasting element despite the waiting.

I'm waiting, nevertheless

Replaces "but" with "nevertheless", conveying a stronger sense of contrast or persistence despite the waiting.

I am in a state of waiting, but

Adds a descriptive phrase before 'but' to add context and emphasis.

I anticipate, yet

Changes 'wait' to 'anticipate' for a more formal tone, while 'yet' maintains the contrast.

Though I wait

Inverts the structure, starting with "though" to emphasize the condition of waiting.

Despite waiting, I...

Restructures the sentence to highlight the contrast, focusing on what happens despite the waiting.

While waiting, however,...

Begins with a temporal clause to set the scene, followed by a contrast using 'however'.

I tarry, but...

Substitutes 'wait' with 'tarry', giving the phrase an archaic feel.

FAQs

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

Ensure the sentence includes a complete thought after "I wait but" to express the contrast. For example, "I wait, but I am unsure if they will arrive."

What are some alternatives to "I wait but"?

Consider using alternatives like "I am waiting however", "I am waiting yet", or "Despite waiting, I..." for clearer expression.

Is "I wait but" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "I wait but" is not considered grammatically correct in written English and sounds incomplete without an additional clause.

When is it appropriate to use "I wait but"?

While not grammatically standard, you might use "I wait but" in informal contexts or when a contrasting idea is heavily implied, though it's best to complete the sentence for clarity.