are waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a current state of anticipation or expectation regarding something or someone. Example: "The guests are waiting for the ceremony to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The couple are waiting.

The New York Times

We are waiting.

The New York Times

The rest are waiting.

The New York Times

People are waiting.

The New York Times

We are waiting for work".

The New York Times

"People are waiting to see".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But I'm waiting".

The New Yorker

His appointment is waiting".

The New Yorker

The woman is waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was waiting.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm waiting".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are waiting" to describe a current state of anticipation or expectation. For example, "The passengers are waiting for the train to arrive."

Common error

Avoid using "are waiting" when the waiting has already concluded. Use the past tense "were waiting" instead. For example, instead of "They are waiting for the results yesterday", say "They were waiting for the results yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are waiting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or state of anticipation. It describes what someone is currently doing in expectation of something else. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English, showing many real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are waiting" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a current state of anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across different contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in academic settings. While alternatives such as "are anticipating" or "are expecting" exist, "are waiting" offers a clear and direct way to express the action of waiting for something or someone. Remember to use the correct tense and subject-verb agreement to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are anticipating

Emphasizes expectation and looking forward to something.

are expecting

Focuses on the belief that something will happen.

are awaiting

A more formal synonym for waiting, suggesting patient anticipation.

are standing by

Indicates readiness and preparedness to take action.

are in expectation of

A formal and somewhat emphatic way of expressing anticipation.

are looking forward to

Expresses eagerness and positive anticipation.

are holding out for

Implies waiting for something specific and desired.

are biding their time

Suggests waiting strategically for the right moment.

are marking time

Indicates waiting passively without significant activity.

are twiddling their thumbs

Implies waiting idly and perhaps impatiently.

FAQs

How can I use "are waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "are waiting" to describe a current state of anticipation. For example, "The guests "are waiting" for the ceremony to begin" or "We "are waiting" for the bus to arrive".

What are some alternatives to "are waiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are anticipating", "are expecting", or "are awaiting".

Is it correct to say "is waiting" instead of "are waiting"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is waiting" for singular subjects (e.g., "He is waiting") and "are waiting" for plural subjects (e.g., "They are waiting").

What is the difference between "are waiting" and "were waiting"?

"Are waiting" refers to a present action, while "were waiting" refers to a past action. For example, "They "are waiting" now", versus "They "were waiting" earlier".