attentively waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attentively waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of waiting with focus or careful attention, often in a context where one is anticipating something important. Example: "As the meeting began, she was attentively waiting for her turn to present her ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The things you're going to see are unbelievable," he assured the teenagers, who sat very attentively waiting to hear what the unbelievable things of the future would be.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'd spend hours in the water, attentively fishing, waiting for a tug on the line; the hint of some fresh oceanic delights for dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Listen attentively and wait for a chance to add to the conversation with something relevant to the topic.

WikiHow

My eyes never left the waves of notes on my sheet music, but my ears waited attentively for a response.

The New York Times

By S. Smith and Harold Ross The New Yorker, March 18 , 1933P. 9 The first time Kid Norfolk, the Negro fighter, encountered a radio, he started at the microphone, sorely puzzled, finally shouted "Hello!" waited attentively a moment and then demanded, "Who dar?" View Article By John Cassidy By Lidija Haas By Anthony Lane By Atul Gawande.

The New Yorker

By S. Smith and Harold Ross The New Yorker, March 18 , 1933P. 9 The first time Kid Norfolk, the Negro fighter, encountered a radio, he started at the microphone, sorely puzzled, finally shouted "Hello!" waited attentively a moment and then demanded, "Who dar?" View Article By Rivka Galchen By Malcolm Gladwell By David Remnick By Ceridwen Dovey.

The New Yorker

A retinue of waiting staff pads around attentively.

Independent

A small group of men sat attentively at the bar, their eyes trained on the television sets, waiting for the returns from Florida.

The New York Times

We were seated quickly and waited on attentively at the Terrace Restaurant.

The New York Times - Travel

Waiting, waiting, and waiting.

WikiHow

Sensors are dotted throughout, an autonomous table tends to the kitchen and a pair of MiRos wait attentively, close to the home's occupants.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attentively waiting" when you want to emphasize both the focused attention and the state of anticipation. For example, use this to describe someone awaiting important news or instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "attentively waiting" in highly formal or technical documents where a more concise term like "awaiting" or "expecting" might be more appropriate. The adverb can sometimes sound overly descriptive in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attentively waiting" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes waiting with a high degree of focus and awareness, often in anticipation of something significant. Examples show it being used to describe anticipation for future events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attentively waiting" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a state of focused anticipation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its strength lies in conveying both the act of waiting and the mental state of attentiveness accompanying it. While not exceedingly common, it finds use in news articles and general writing contexts, providing a more descriptive alternative to simpler terms like "awaiting". When using "attentively waiting", consider the level of formality and ensure the context benefits from the added emphasis on focused attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Patiently awaiting

Emphasizes the patience aspect of waiting.

Attentively standing by

Highlights attentiveness in proximity.

Eagerly anticipating

Highlights the enthusiasm and excitement while waiting.

Closely watching

Focuses on the careful observation during the waiting period.

Vigilantly standing by

Suggests a state of alert readiness.

Expectantly pausing

Emphasizes the expectation of something about to happen.

Carefully observing

Highlights focused observation while in a state of waiting.

Keenly listening

Emphasizes listening with great interest while waiting.

Mindfully waiting

Focuses on the mental state of being present and aware during the wait.

Respectfully waiting

Indicates a waiting period characterized by deference and consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "attentively waiting" to describe someone who is waiting with focus and careful attention, usually for something important. For example: "The students were "attentively waiting" for the professor to announce the exam results."

What are some alternatives to "attentively waiting"?

Alternatives include "patiently awaiting", "eagerly anticipating", or "closely watching", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "attentively waiting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "attentively waiting" is grammatically correct. "Attentively" is an adverb modifying the verb "waiting", forming a descriptive phrase.

What is the difference between "attentively waiting" and "patiently waiting"?

"Attentively waiting" emphasizes the focused attention and awareness during the waiting period, while "patiently waiting" highlights the ability to wait calmly without frustration.