be kept waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be kept waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being made to wait for a period of time, often implying inconvenience or frustration. Example: "I was disappointed that I had to be kept waiting for over an hour for my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I do not wish to be kept waiting any longer.

Yale University

Those ships cannot be kept waiting for a berth.

The New Yorker

We learned that patients don't like to be kept waiting.

Harvard Business Review

She hates to be kept waiting even five seconds!

The Guardian - Books

You may be kept waiting and get less than the allocated time to pitch.

The Guardian

He could be very good for English cricket but the game will be kept waiting for that to happen.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

His prospective new client, of course, is kept waiting.

The New York Times

The Turks have been kept waiting for decades.

The Economist

Otherwise, he would have been kept waiting a long time.

The Economist

President Bush was kept waiting, something he has always hated.

The Washington Post

Close relatives take absolute priority; non-relatives are kept waiting.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be kept waiting", consider the context and whether a more direct or active voice construction would be more impactful. For instance, instead of "customers were kept waiting", try "the delay forced customers to wait".

Common error

While "be kept waiting" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Actively consider if rephrasing the sentence in the active voice would improve clarity and conciseness. Instead of "the documents were kept waiting for approval", try "the committee delayed approving the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be kept waiting" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is subjected to a delay. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe situations involving unwanted or prolonged waiting periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be kept waiting" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the experience of being delayed, often against one's will. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider whether a more direct, active voice construction might enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives like "be made to wait" or "be delayed" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Overuse of the passive voice, however, should be avoided to maintain a strong and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be made to wait

Changes the verb from "kept" to "made" while retaining the passive voice and the core meaning of being forced to wait.

be delayed

Shortens the phrase to a simple passive form, focusing on the state of being delayed rather than the act of delaying.

be held up

Implies a blockage or impediment is causing the waiting, suggesting external forces are at play.

experience delays

Shifts the focus to the experience of delay rather than the action of being kept, suitable in contexts where the impact is more important.

face a delay

Presents the delay as something faced or confronted, implying a challenge or obstacle.

encounter waiting times

Focuses on the presence of waiting times as something one might encounter, useful in more formal or statistical discussions.

have to wait

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic component, losing some of the passive implication of being made to wait.

await something

Switches to an active voice, where the subject is actively awaiting something, changing the nuance from passive endurance.

mark time

Suggests a period of inactivity or marking time until something happens, often used in more figurative contexts.

cool one's heels

An idiomatic alternative suggesting enforced waiting, often with a sense of impatience or boredom.

FAQs

What does "be kept waiting" mean?

The phrase "be kept waiting" means that someone is made to wait, often longer than expected or desired. It implies a situation where someone's time is not valued or respected.

How can I use "be kept waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "be kept waiting" in a sentence like this: "The passengers "were kept waiting" for hours due to the flight delay" or "She hates "to be kept waiting", even for a few minutes".

What are some alternatives to "be kept waiting"?

Alternatives to "be kept waiting" include "be made to wait", "be delayed", or "have to wait". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "be kept waiting" or "have to wait"?

Both "be kept waiting" and "have to wait" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Be kept waiting" often implies that the waiting is unnecessary or imposed by someone else. "Have to wait" is more neutral and simply indicates a need to wait.