constant waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constant waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one is perpetually in a state of waiting, often implying frustration or impatience. Example: "The constant waiting for the bus made her late for work every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We are operating with a constant waiting list of around 100, we can't even meet local demand.

The Guardian

"Politicians come and go through the revolving door of electoral politics, while she remains constant, waiting to welcome her next Prime Minister".

Independent

During the monitoring period, from August 2005 to March 2007, the system prototype service rate remained constant, waiting lists were fully updated and 100% of admissions in the pilot unit were planned using the SWALIS algorithm.

BMC Health Services Research

This constant waiting should by rights be irksome – and yet somehow it isn't.

The Guardian - Film

"The constant waiting, the many false promises – that's abusive of their rights too".

The Guardian

The constant waiting was getting too much and, to be honest, I'd practically given up hope anyway.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

To illustrate the workings of this approach, let's consider the simplest case of inertia: we have a language with just one constant denoting a fluent, f, and one action-denoting constant, wait.

SEP

UPS, which worries a lot about saving fuel, finds that constant waits for opposing traffic can eat up gas.

Forbes

A constant perceived waiting time is assumed at car parks for drivers observing the PGI signs displaying car parks to be unavailable.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Constant Akim waits patiently outside Adou Felicien's shop; he props up his motorbike and pops his head through the wooden doorway.

BBC

B4 WORRY IN KABUL -- People fleeing the Afghan capital in the last several days describe a city whose atmosphere has shifted from panic to constant worry and waiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constant waiting", consider the emotional impact you want to convey. It often implies frustration or impatience, so ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "constant waiting" in contexts where a positive or neutral anticipation is intended. The phrase often carries a negative undertone, implying annoyance or hardship due to the prolonged wait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constant waiting" functions as a noun phrase, where 'constant' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'waiting'. It describes a state of continuous or prolonged anticipation. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing frustrating or burdensome situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constant waiting" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to describe a situation characterized by prolonged and continuous anticipation, often with negative connotations. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase is found in both news and scientific contexts. When employing "constant waiting", writers should be mindful of its potential to convey frustration or impatience. Related phrases such as "perpetual waiting" or "ceaseless waiting" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetual waiting

Emphasizes the unending nature of the waiting, implying it never ceases.

ceaseless waiting

Highlights the uninterrupted quality of the waiting, suggesting a relentless continuation.

endless anticipation

Focuses on the emotional aspect of waiting, highlighting the prolonged feeling of expectation.

continuous delay

Shifts the focus to the cause of waiting, emphasizing the ongoing postponements or interruptions.

prolonged delay

Highlights how the waiting time is longer than usual.

incessant delay

Similar to continuous delay, suggesting that the delay is never-ending.

unrelenting wait

Emphasizes the harsh or severe nature of the waiting, suggesting it is difficult to endure.

nonstop queuing

Focuses more on a physical type of waiting, such as waiting in a line.

permanent queue

Highlights that the line/queue is happening for good.

routine waiting

Implies that waiting is a normal, expected part of a process or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "constant waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "constant waiting" to describe situations where there's a continuous state of anticipation or delay. For example: "The "constant waiting" for medical appointments was stressful."

What are some alternatives to "constant waiting"?

Alternatives include "perpetual waiting", "ceaseless waiting", or "endless anticipation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "constant waiting" or "continual waiting"?

"Constant waiting" emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the waiting period. "Continual waiting" suggests that the waiting occurs repeatedly with small breaks. Choose the term that best fits the situation.

What kind of feeling does the phrase "constant waiting" convey?

The phrase "constant waiting" often conveys a sense of frustration, impatience, or weariness due to the ongoing and seemingly unending nature of the waiting period.