awaiting his return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awaiting his return" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or expectation for someone's return, often in a personal or emotional context. Example: "She spent the entire evening sitting by the window, awaiting his return from the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The camera keeps rolling, awaiting his return.

The Guardian - Arts

He made his way back to Pheriche and found Ms. Krauss awaiting his return.

The New York Times

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, the family of Mahmoud Damra was awaiting his return.

The New York Times

While awaiting his return, she is endlessly persecuted by her governess and her unloving relatives.

The New Yorker

Party City in Stamford, which has not stocked Uncle Sam for years, now is eagerly awaiting his return.

The New York Times

It was as if he had come home on leave and was away for a few days or weeks, and the room was awaiting his return.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But his partner, Marv Albert, awaits his return to action.

The New York Times - Sports

Sects of believers, called Donme (turncoats), awaited his return until the 20th century.

The Economist

Little has been heard about him since, while his family anxiously await his return.

The Guardian - Opinion

One day in January 1985 he was called to the office, and as usual we eagerly awaited his return.

Independent

Yet those who fail to recognise Edwyn as he awaits his return flight to London can perhaps be forgiven.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awaiting his return" to convey a sense of anticipation or expectation. It is particularly effective when the return is significant or emotionally charged.

Common error

While "awaiting his return" is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of the overall tone of your writing. In very informal contexts, simpler phrases like "waiting for him to come back" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awaiting his return" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun or adjective within a sentence. It describes the state of expecting someone's comeback. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Books

16%

Literature

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awaiting his return" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey anticipation for someone's comeback. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is prevalent in news, media, and literary contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone of your writing and choose simpler alternatives like "waiting for him to return" in more informal settings. Its function as a gerund phrase allows for flexible integration into sentences, effectively communicating a state of expectancy. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, further solidifying its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerly awaiting his return

Adds intensity to the act of awaiting.

expecting his return

Focuses on anticipation and expectation, similar to awaiting.

patiently awaiting his return

Highlights the patience involved in the waiting process.

anticipating his return

Highlights the positive anticipation of his comeback.

waiting for him to return

A more straightforward and common way to express the same idea.

looking forward to his return

Emphasizes the positive sentiment of expecting someone's return.

expecting him back

A shorter, more casual version with similar meaning.

awaiting his homecoming

Homecoming emphasizes the return to a place.

in expectation of his return

More formal and elaborate phrasing.

ready for his return

Focuses on the state of preparedness for the return.

FAQs

How can I use "awaiting his return" in a sentence?

You can use "awaiting his return" to describe someone or something that is expecting a person to come back. For example, "The team was eagerly awaiting his return after the injury."

What's the difference between "awaiting his return" and "waiting for him to return"?

"Awaiting his return" is slightly more formal and implies a sense of anticipation, while "waiting for him to return" is more straightforward and neutral.

What can I say instead of "awaiting his return"?

You can use alternatives like "expecting his return", "anticipating his return", or "looking forward to his return" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "awaiting for his return"?

No, the correct phrasing is "awaiting his return". The word "awaiting" already implies waiting, so "for" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.