awaiting direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awaiting direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is waiting for guidance or instructions on what to do next. Example: "The team is currently awaiting direction from the project manager before proceeding with the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Border Force on the island was awaiting direction from Canberra regarding any transfer, it said.

The Guardian

As advocates and state officials plan for a new frontier of legalized sales, they are also anxiously awaiting direction from the federal government, which still plans to treat the sale and cultivation of marijuana as federal crimes.

The New York Times

The statement says DiCaprio is awaiting direction from the US justice department regarding any funds that may have supported his environmental foundation or 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.

The Guardian

Before his death this week, Mr. Gwatney said that he was awaiting direction from the Obama campaign, but that he believed the campaign would open a state office in a few weeks.

The New York Times

Intel officials say they love the program but are awaiting direction from their new CEO, Brian Krzanich, who takes the helm on Friday.

Science Magazine

This crisis is taking place to a backdrop of a fatally discredited peace process, a political clock ticking down toward American elections, and an international community awaiting direction and leadership from a White House that is providing neither.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Sotheby's yesterday confirmed it was holding the four Expressionist artworks and awaiting directions from the court.

The Guardian

The mercury rule, she said, is still in effect while the agency awaits direction from the circuit court.

Huffington Post

While the thousands of us from business and civil society who have planned to participate in the multitude of side meetings await direction from officials in Paris, our work must carry on with heightened urgency, unbowed in the face of terror.

Huffington Post

"We will await directions from Toyota on next steps," City CarShare said in a statement.

The New York Times

Mr. Fabricant, the general counsel, wrote, "It is clear that an administrative agency properly awaits Congressional direction on a fundamental policy issue such as global climate change, instead of searching for an existing statute that was not designed or enacted to deal with that issue".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "waiting for instructions" or "seeking guidance" if you want to simplify the language or emphasize the active role of seeking information.

Common error

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates from whom or what the direction is expected. Ambiguity can arise if the source of the "direction" is not explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awaiting direction" functions as a present participle phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a state of readiness or expectation. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase indicates that someone or something is in a state of waiting for guidance before taking action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awaiting direction" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the state of waiting for guidance or instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. For alternatives, consider "waiting for instructions" or "seeking guidance", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the source of the expected direction is clear to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig examples show the phrase's versatility across different domains, from political decisions to technological advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting for instructions

Replaces "direction" with the more explicit term "instructions".

awaiting guidance

More concise by omitting "direction".

seeking guidance

Focuses on the act of seeking rather than awaiting.

pending instructions

A more formal and concise way of saying "waiting for instructions".

waiting for a cue

Implies a signal or prompt is needed.

awaiting orders

Suitable in contexts where hierarchical commands are expected.

in anticipation of instructions

Adds a sense of anticipation to the wait.

looking for leadership

Emphasizes the need for leadership to provide direction.

seeking clarification

Emphasizes the need for clearer instructions.

waiting to be told what to do

More verbose and less formal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "awaiting direction" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives like "pending guidance" or "awaiting guidance", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What's a simpler way to say "awaiting direction"?

A simpler alternative is "waiting for instructions". This option is more direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Is "awaiting direction" suitable for professional communication?

Yes, "awaiting direction" is perfectly suitable for professional communication. It conveys a sense of readiness and expectation for guidance before proceeding with a task. However, ensure the context clearly indicates the source of direction.

What is the difference between "awaiting direction" and "seeking direction"?

"Awaiting direction" implies a passive state of waiting for guidance to be provided, while "seeking direction" suggests an active effort to find or obtain guidance. The choice depends on whether the subject is waiting to be told or is actively trying to find information.