be made to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be made to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is required to wait, often against their will or expectation. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I may be made to wait for my appointment longer than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Mr Seed and his imitators should be made to wait.

The Economist

You will not be made to wait for your table.

The New York Times - Travel

How long will Megan and other victims of harassment be made to wait?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The people of Europe have waited long enough for cleaner air, they must not be made to wait any longer".

The Guardian

Patients should be made to wait longer at A&E to discourage them from making future visits, a Conservative candidate has argued.

Independent

"Cancer is the toughest fight most people will ever face and they should not be made to wait any longer than is absolutely necessary to start vital treatment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Not that he has been made to wait unduly.

Independent

But, of course, we were only being made to wait.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you were made to wait and the pope walked in, you would not be surprised.

The New York Times - Magazine

But maybe Carol is a better film for having been made to wait.

The Guardian - Film

Love is resentful at having been made to wait, and then seemingly vindictive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context when choosing "be made to wait" over alternatives like "wait" or "be kept waiting". The former often implies a degree of frustration or involuntariness, making it suitable for situations where the waiting is unwelcome or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "be made to wait" when the active voice is more direct and appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The system made users be made to wait", it's better to say "The system made users wait", or even better, "The system delayed the users", to be more concise and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be made to wait" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is subjected to a period of waiting. It highlights that the subject of the sentence does not initiate the waiting but is rather caused to wait by an external factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be made to wait" is a grammatically sound and appropriate phrase used to describe a situation where someone is forced to wait, often against their will. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it's crucial to avoid overusing it when a more direct active voice construction would be clearer. Remember, while alternatives exist, the specific context should dictate the best choice. Avoid ambiguity and always aim for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be kept waiting

Emphasizes the act of someone actively keeping another person waiting.

be subjected to delays

Highlights that the waiting is imposed or unwelcome.

be forced to linger

Implies a lack of control over the duration of the waiting period.

be obliged to tarry

Conveys a sense of duty or obligation to remain.

be compelled to remain

Highlights an external force or requirement to stay.

experience a delay

Focuses on the occurrence of a delay rather than the person causing it.

encounter a hold-up

Indicates an unexpected obstruction that causes a pause.

have to hold back

Focuses on the action of restraining oneself from proceeding.

be stuck on standby

Suggests a state of readiness while awaiting further instructions or events.

be left in limbo

Implies a state of uncertainty and indefinite waiting.

FAQs

How is "be made to wait" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "be made to wait" is used in the passive voice to indicate that someone is forced to wait, often against their will or expectation. For example, "Customers "were made to wait" due to the system malfunction".

What are some alternatives to "be made to wait" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "be kept waiting", "be forced to linger", or "experience a delay" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be made to wait" and "have to wait"?

"Be made to wait" implies an external force or someone causing the waiting, whereas "have to wait" simply indicates a necessity to wait. For example, "They "were made to wait" by the receptionist" versus "They "had to wait" for their turn".

When is it more appropriate to use "be made to wait" rather than just "wait"?

Use "be made to wait" when you want to emphasize that the waiting is imposed on someone, often unwillingly. Simply using "wait" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply an external imposition.