Thank you for waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'Thank you for waiting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has been patiently waiting for you or for something to happen. For example, you could say "I'm sorry for making you wait—thank you for waiting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Thank you for waiting.

The New Yorker

"Thank you for waiting for me.

The Guardian

"Thank you for waiting," Ms. Andrews told her fans again and again, sounding quite like Mary Poppins, though she turned down an offer to attend one young girl's tea party after the signing.

The New York Times

Thank you for waiting, sir".

Huffington Post

So thank you for waiting.

Cornell University

And thank you for waiting so patiently.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Thank you for the dreams but wait a little if you please/I just need a little ease to crack a puzzle in my heart," she sang in a new song, "Happy Ever After," tightly harmonizing each crisp syllable with a backup singer, Jennifer Marshall, while they clowned together as well.

The New York Times - Arts

"Thank you for not politicizing it and for waiting until we were ready," said Patty Sheehan, an Orlando city commissioner.

The Washington Post

Frank Close, author of The Infinity Puzzle, has a theory for the delay … Frank Close (@closefrank) I just hope #nobel delay is because #higgs hasnt turned his new mobile phone on October 8, 2013 Updated at 11.10am BST 11.01am BST Thank you for the music (not) While we wait for the announcement this morning, let's consider the music choices for the live video feed.

The Guardian

Thank you for participating.

The New York Times

Thank you for listening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine it with an apology if the wait was longer than expected or caused an inconvenience: "We apologize for the delay and thank you for waiting."

Common error

Avoid using "Thank you for waiting" preemptively, before the person has actually waited. It's more appropriate after the fact. For example, don't say it at the beginning of a call; say it after resolving their issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Thank you for waiting" functions as an expression of gratitude. It is used to acknowledge and appreciate someone's patience, especially after they have experienced a delay or had to wait for a service or response, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Thank you for waiting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to acknowledge someone's patience, as affirmed by Ludwig. While seemingly simple, its use conveys politeness and appreciation, particularly in customer service or professional environments. Alternatives such as "I appreciate your patience" or "thanks for being patient" can be used depending on the context. It's important to use the phrase sincerely and appropriately, avoiding preemptive use or sarcasm. As the examples show, the phrase is versatile, appearing across news, academic, and scientific domains, making it a valuable addition to one's communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thank you for your patience

A more formal way to thank someone for waiting.

I appreciate your patience

More formal and emphasizes appreciation for patience.

Sorry for the delay and thank you for waiting

Acknowledges the delay directly.

Thanks for being patient

More casual and direct in expressing thanks.

Thanks for your understanding

Focuses on the person's comprehension and acceptance of the situation.

Thank you for bearing with us

Suggests a difficult or trying wait.

We thank you for your time

More suitable when the waiting involves a commitment of time.

I'm grateful for your understanding

Shifts focus to understanding, useful if there were complications.

We are grateful for your cooperation

Implies a required cooperation during the wait.

We appreciate you holding

Specific to phone calls and holding on the line.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to say "Thank you for waiting"?

It's appropriate after someone has waited for you or something, like on a phone call, in a queue, or during a service delay. It acknowledges their patience once the waiting period is over.

What are some alternatives to "Thank you for waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "I appreciate your patience", "thanks for being patient", or "thank you for your patience" depending on the context and your desired level of formality.

How can I make "Thank you for waiting" sound more sincere?

Combine it with a genuine apology if the wait was significant or unexpected. Adding a personal touch, like explaining the reason for the delay briefly, can also enhance sincerity.

Is it ever inappropriate to say "Thank you for waiting"?

Avoid using it sarcastically or in situations where the wait was caused by your own error without acknowledging the mistake. Always ensure it's delivered with genuine appreciation.