become a long wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become a long wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an expected event or outcome is taking longer than anticipated. Example: "As the train was delayed for hours, it became a long wait for the passengers at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nearly a week later, as navy divers continue to salvage the wreckage and more bodies are recovered, it has become a long wait for the families of the 18 sailors trapped on the submarine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has become a long list.

Forbes

When it became clear, after a long wait in the lobby, that they would not make it to the pyramids, one daughter said: "A camel ride around the pyramids: ten dollars.

The New Yorker

Long registration waiting times for outpatients have already become a long-festering healthcare problem in China [ 7].

BMC Health Services Research

Roughly five minutes of actual downtime became "It's been a long wait for our returning champion, Patrick".

Huffington Post

A number of respondents across study groups and settings also voiced (unprompted) their specific concern that HIV and CC screening integration would make the HCPs tired, while women in the queue will also become tired from a long waiting time.

BMC Women's Health

It all became a long blur of waiting rooms, tests, blood transfusions and offers of experimental treatments.

The New York Times

A long wait to go solar.

Los Angeles Times

Servers can become harried and distracted, and then there's the anxiety-making threat or reality of a long wait.

The New York Times - Food

A long wait ensued.

The New York Times

Sure was a long wait.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become a long wait", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the delay and why it is significant. For example, specify what event or process is experiencing the delay and the impact of the prolonged wait.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "become a long wait" can sound somewhat formal or dramatic in very casual conversation. In informal settings, consider more direct alternatives like "It's taking forever" or "It's a long wait".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become a long wait" functions as a predicate, indicating a transformation into a state characterized by a prolonged period of waiting. It describes how a situation evolves over time, as Ludwig examples showcase. The Ludwig AI indicates that is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "become a long wait" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a situation evolving into a prolonged period of waiting. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. Alternative phrases such as "turn into a lengthy delay" or "transform into an extended period of waiting" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. Remember to use it appropriately and consider the formality of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn into a lengthy delay

Replaces "wait" with "delay" and "long" with "lengthy", emphasizing the extended duration.

transform into an extended period of waiting

Uses "transform" for a more significant change and specifies "period of waiting" for clarity.

evolve into a protracted wait

Employs "evolve" for a gradual development and "protracted" to highlight the prolonged nature.

develop into a drawn-out waiting period

Replaces "become" with "develop" and adds "period" to clarify the duration of waiting.

morph into a seemingly endless wait

Uses "morph" for a more dramatic transformation and adds "seemingly endless" to emphasize the perceived length.

grow into a wearisome waiting game

Employs "grow" to illustrate a gradual increase in duration and adds "wearisome" to describe the experience.

deteriorate into a long drawn out delay

Highlights the frustration associated with the protracted waiting period.

escalate into a prolonged period of anticipation

Replaces "wait" with "period of anticipation", giving a slightly different focus.

extend into a considerable wait

Focuses on the extension of the wait, using "considerable" to highlight the significant length.

stretch into a very long delay

Uses "stretch" to convey the feeling of time extending, similar to "become a long wait".

FAQs

How can I use "become a long wait" in a sentence?

You can use "become a long wait" to describe a situation where an expected event or outcome is taking much longer than anticipated. For example: "As the train was delayed for hours, it became a long wait for the passengers at the station."

What can I say instead of "become a long wait"?

Alternatives include "turn into a lengthy delay", "transform into an extended period of waiting", or "evolve into a protracted wait", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "become a long wait" or "is a long wait"?

"Become a long wait" implies a transformation into a state of prolonged waiting, while "is a long wait" simply describes the current state. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the change over time. For example: the flight "is a long wait", the process to get the documents "become a long wait".

What's the difference between "a long wait" and "a long waiting time"?

"A long wait" is a more concise and common expression. "A long waiting time" is also correct but can sound slightly more formal or technical. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. Using "become a long wait" emphasizes the process of waiting.