agree to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has consented to postpone an action or event. Example: "After discussing the situation, we all decided to agree to wait for further instructions before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Market speculators may not agree to wait.

The New York Times

"A lot of creditors will agree to wait some time; they've already waited for a while".

The Guardian - Business

Colleges put applicants on waiting lists although they do not know how many places -- if any -- will be available to those who agree to wait.

The New York Times

In Columbus, Annie Womack, who was volunteering for the N.A.A.C.P. to watch polls, said she saw people walk away rather than agree to wait in another line and receive a provisional ballot.

The New York Times

The elder Morgan, just before his death in 1913, told Mr. Satterlee that he could consider himself the authorized biographer, with access to all private papers, family records, etc., if he would agree to wait 25 years after Morgan's death before publishing anything.

The New Yorker

With few other options, lenders agree to wait another two years for their money back.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

'Wait six months and see if anyone recalls the source of this argument.' They agreed to wait.

The New Yorker

So they agreed to wait.

The New Yorker

After a while we gave up and agreed to wait for the doctor.

The New York Times

He asked her to marry him, but since he was already married she agreed to wait.

The Guardian

I called from the terminal and the agent agreed to wait for me.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "agree to wait" works well in situations where there's an expectation or desire for immediate action, but a mutual decision has been made to delay it.

Common error

Avoid using "agree to wait" when the delay is imposed by one party without the consent of others involved. "Agree" implies mutual consent, so a more appropriate phrase would be "had to wait" or "were made to wait" if consent wasn't given.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "agree to wait" is to express a decision or consent to postpone an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves as an infinitive phrase, often following a verb like "decide", "offer", or "be willing".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agree to wait" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a mutual decision to postpone something. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and versatility. It appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context implies mutual consent and consider more formal alternatives like "consent to delay" for official settings. Avoid using this phrase when the delay is unilateral or forced, as "agree" implies consent. By keeping these points in mind, you can confidently and accurately use "agree to wait" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consent to delay

This phrase replaces "agree" with "consent" and "wait" with "delay", maintaining the same core meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

accept to postpone

Using "accept" instead of "agree" and "postpone" instead of "wait" emphasizes the acceptance of a delay.

delay acting until later

This is a straightforward substitution that emphasizes the postponement of action until a later time.

concur with deferment

This option introduces "concur," making it more formal, and uses "deferment," which implies a more official delay.

yield to a later time

This phrase uses "yield" to indicate agreement to postpone, focusing on the change in timing.

defer to a future moment

Swapping "agree" with "defer" and "wait" with "future moment" provides a more sophisticated alternative.

accept a temporary suspension

This version highlights the acceptance of a pause or interruption.

hold off until later

This phrase uses the phrasal verb "hold off" to express a temporary suspension until a later time.

refrain from acting now

This alternative stresses the act of not proceeding immediately, focusing on restraint.

put things on hold

This idiomatic expression suggests a temporary suspension of activities or decisions.

FAQs

What does it mean to "agree to wait"?

To "agree to wait" means to give your consent to postpone something until a later time or date. It implies a mutual decision to delay an action or event.

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

You can use "agree to wait" in sentences like, "The team decided to agree to wait for better weather before starting the hike" or "The investors agreed to wait until the next quarter for the financial report".

Which is more formal, "agree to wait" or "consent to wait"?

"Consent to wait" is slightly more formal than "agree to wait". Both are appropriate, but "consent" carries a more official or legal connotation.

What are some alternatives to "agree to wait"?

Alternatives include phrases like "consent to delay", "accept to postpone", or "hold off until later", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.