after a long wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a long wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something occurs following an extended period of anticipation or delay. Example: "After a long wait, the results of the competition were finally announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

AFTER a long wait, Barack Obama has at last sent America's pending free-trade agreements with Colombia and Panama to Congress for ratification.

The Economist

The cab's here - after a long wait.

The Guardian - Travel

After a long wait, we will have [it] this summer.

Independent

After a long wait to see him, Williams walked in.

The New York Times - Sports

"After a long wait, the door unlatched and slowly opened.

The New York Times - Books

After a long wait, his conversion was nerveless.

The Guardian - Sport

After a long wait, Ms. Butts receives the wrong form and is forced back in line.

The New York Times

After a long wait, Michelle Wie has emerged as a legitimate contender.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was a first step after a long wait for the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

After a long wait, the sun finally cast its rays upon the cold valley bottom.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a long wait more than 20 years–significant new fuel-economy standards look as though they'll finally be signed into law.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after a long wait" to build anticipation or emphasize the significance of an event that finally occurs. For example, "After a long wait, the company finally unveiled its new product at the conference."

Common error

While "after a long wait" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "following an extended delay" or "eventually" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a long wait" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it modifies the main clause by indicating when the action occurred, specifically after a period of prolonged anticipation or delay. This is evident in examples where it sets the stage for a subsequent event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a long wait" is a correct and frequently used phrase to introduce an event that occurs following a prolonged period of anticipation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase serves as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the duration of the wait and adding emotional weight to the subsequent event. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly within news and media, as evidenced by frequent occurrences in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While perfectly acceptable, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider employing alternatives such as "following an extended delay" or "at long last" to enhance writing style and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at long last

Emphasizes the relief or satisfaction associated with the end of the wait.

following an extended delay

Replaces "long wait" with a more formal expression.

after a considerable delay

Substitutes "long" with "considerable", implying a noteworthy duration.

after a protracted delay

Uses "protracted" to emphasize the length and potential tediousness of the wait.

following a significant hiatus

Replaces "wait" with "hiatus", indicating a temporary cessation of activity.

after a lengthy period

Replaces "long wait" with a more generic, yet still similar, term.

subsequent to a prolonged pause

Offers a more formal and literary alternative.

once the waiting period concluded

Describes the end of the waiting time in a formal way.

eventually

Simple, one-word alternative indicating that something happened at the end of a period of waiting.

in due course

Implies that something happened when the appropriate time had passed, suggesting a more natural and expected conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "after a long wait" to indicate that something happened following a considerable delay or period of anticipation. For example, "After a long wait, the train finally arrived."

What can I say instead of "after a long wait"?

You can use alternatives like "following an extended delay", "after a considerable delay", or "at long last" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "after a long waiting" instead of "after a long wait"?

While "after a long waiting" is grammatically understandable, it's less common and idiomatic than "after a long wait". The latter is generally preferred for its simplicity and widespread usage.

What's the difference between "after a short wait" and "after a long wait"?

"After a short wait" implies that the period of waiting was relatively brief, whereas "after a long wait" suggests a more extended and potentially frustrating duration.