cannot wait

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot wait' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express enthusiasm, excitement, or impatience about a future event. For example: "I cannot wait to see my friends again when this pandemic is over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Inaudible) -- cannot wait -- REP.

The New York Times

Genuinely cannot wait.

Independent

"We cannot wait".

The New York Times

And we cannot wait.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Eastern Ghouta cannot wait.

The Guardian

"This cannot wait.

The Guardian

"Peace cannot wait anymore".

The Guardian

Jefferson cannot wait.

The New York Times - Sports

Kim cannot wait.

The New York Times - Sports

"The people cannot wait.

The New York Times

Kazakhstan cannot wait.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot wait" to express genuine excitement or anticipation, but avoid overuse in formal writing where a more nuanced expression might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot wait" in very formal or somber contexts, such as academic papers or condolence messages. A more restrained expression of anticipation or expectation is usually more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot wait" functions as an expression of anticipation or excitement. It indicates a strong positive feeling about a future event or experience, similar to the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot wait" is a common and correct phrase used to express strong anticipation or excitement. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's grammatically sound and appears frequently across various sources, from news media to academia. While generally neutral in register, it is more suitable for informal contexts or situations where conveying enthusiasm is appropriate. Ludwig AI highlights its function as an expression of eagerness and its purpose of communicating positive expectation, making it a versatile phrase for expressing anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look forward to

A very common and slightly more formal alternative expressing positive expectation.

eagerly anticipate

Replaces the negative "cannot" with a positive affirmation of anticipation, sounding slightly more formal.

keenly anticipate

Highlights the enthusiasm and intensity of the anticipation.

excitedly await

Mirrors anxiously await but places more emphasis on the positive excitement.

anxiously await

Emphasizes the eagerness and potential nervousness associated with waiting.

thrilled about

Focuses on the excitement and joy connected with the upcoming event.

counting down the days

Expresses the passage of time until the anticipated event.

burning with anticipation

Uses a stronger, more figurative expression of anticipation.

await with bated breath

Suggests heightened suspense and excitement, implying a sense of holding one's breath.

on tenterhooks

Conveys a state of suspense and heightened anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot wait" in a sentence?

Use "cannot wait" to express strong anticipation or excitement about something that will happen in the future. For example, "I "cannot wait" for the concert next week".

What's a more formal way to say "cannot wait"?

If you want to sound more formal, you could use phrases like "I "eagerly anticipate"", "I "look forward to"", or "I "await with anticipation"".

Is it correct to say "can't wait" instead of "cannot wait"?

Yes, "can't wait" is a common and perfectly acceptable contraction of ""cannot wait"". It's generally considered more informal but is widely used in everyday conversation and writing.

Which is correct, "cannot wait to" or "cannot wait for"?

Both are correct, but they're used differently. "Cannot wait to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "I "cannot wait to" see you"), while "cannot wait for" is followed by a noun (e.g., "I "cannot wait for" the weekend").