are waiting for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are waiting for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is in a state of anticipation or expectation regarding something or someone. Example: "We are waiting for the results of the competition to be announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are waiting for work".

The New York Times

Others are waiting for death".

The New York Times

We are waiting for orders".

Independent

We are waiting for them.

Independent

"We are waiting for Netanyahu.

The New York Times

Some are waiting for buses.

The New York Times

"We are waiting for him".

The New York Times

What are waiting for?

The New York Times

We are waiting for his evidence.

The New York Times

Now we are waiting for the politicians.

The New York Times

Maybe they are waiting for commercial opportunities".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are waiting for" to indicate a state of anticipation or expectation, ensuring the subject clearly identifies who is waiting.

Common error

Avoid substituting "for" with other prepositions like "on" or "at" after "are waiting". "Are waiting on" is acceptable in some dialects but generally less preferred than "are waiting for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are waiting for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action of anticipating or expecting something or someone. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are waiting for" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express anticipation or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business and academic settings. When writing, ensure that the subject is clearly defined and avoid substituting the preposition "for" with less conventional options like "on". Alternatives such as "are anticipating" or "await" can provide a more formal tone where needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are anticipating

Replaces "waiting" with a more formal synonym, implying a stronger sense of expectation.

are expecting

Similar to anticipating, but often used when referring to a future event that is considered likely to happen.

await

A more formal and concise synonym for "wait for".

are looking forward to

Expresses a sense of pleasure or excitement about something that will happen in the future.

are standing by for

Implies readiness and preparedness to take action when something happens.

are in expectation of

A more formal way of saying "are expecting".

are prepared for

Focuses on the readiness to face something in the future, rather than the act of waiting.

are on the lookout for

Implies actively searching and waiting for something specific.

are holding out for

Indicates waiting with persistence and determination, often for something desired.

are biding their time for

Suggests waiting patiently for the right opportunity to act.

FAQs

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

Use "are waiting for" to indicate that someone or something is anticipating a future event or arrival. For example, "The fans "are waiting for the concert to begin"".

What's a more formal alternative to "are waiting for"?

Alternatives like "are anticipating" or "await" can provide a more formal tone, depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "are waiting on" instead of "are waiting for"?

"Are waiting on" is sometimes used, especially in American English, but "are waiting for" is generally considered more standard and widely accepted.

What is the difference between "are waiting for" and "are expecting"?

While both indicate anticipation, "are waiting for" implies a passive state of waiting, whereas "are expecting" often suggests a higher degree of certainty or anticipation of a specific outcome.