continuing to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an ongoing action of waiting for something or someone. Example: "Despite the delays, we are continuing to wait for the final decision from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Consumers are continuing to wait till the last minute to make their plans, and this is not the summer to do that," she said, because the best fares will go quickly.

The New York Times - Travel

أعداد مهولة داخل محطة مصر في انتظار الألتراز huge numbers inside train station awaiting #ultras twitter.com/NoorNoor1/stat… — Noor نور (@NoorNoor1) February 2 , 2012Almost an hour later, another activist blogger, Tarek Shalaby, transmitted another image of the large crowd continuing to wait for the train from Port Said.

The New York Times

At 4 pm, Major Nguyen Van Nho ordered the 4th Marine Battalion to carry their casualties back to the village, instead of continuing to wait for the helicopters.

Wikipedia

I want you to ask yourself What is the cost  --  to myself and others  --  of continuing to wait to pursue my purpose beyond motherhood?

Huffington Post

Continuing to wait for a letter of approval from now-former Chief Ronal Serpas of the NOPD and eventually, finding himself maneuvering through the bureaucracy of the city of New Orleans to release the guns, Ferrara finally received the chosen weapons in early 2014 – only to find that the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco and Firearms ATF) got involved and blow-torched the guns before handing them over.

Vice

Continuing to wait for a letter of approval from now-former Chief Ronal Serpas of the NOPD and eventually, finding himself maneuvering through the bureaucracy of the city of New Orleans to release the guns, Ferrara finally received the chosen weapons in early 2014 only to find that the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobaccoand Firearms (ATF) got involved and blow-torched the guns before handing them over.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Families continue to wait.

The New York Times

Dr. Friedman continues to wait.

The New York Times

So we continued to wait.

The Guardian

We're going to continue to wait".

The New York Times - Sports

In the meantime, Democrats will have to continue to wait.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continuing to wait" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the waiting, especially if there have been delays or unexpected circumstances. It adds a sense of persistence or anticipation to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "continuing to wait" when a simpler phrase like "still waiting" is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or verbose in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing to wait" functions as a gerund phrase modifying a verb, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action. It often serves to highlight persistence or expectation in a given situation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continuing to wait" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, denoting the ongoing action of waiting. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in news articles, general writing, and informal communications where the emphasis on the duration and persistence of waiting is relevant. According to Ludwig, the phrase is well-regarded, and simpler alternatives like "still waiting" may be more suitable in extremely casual contexts. Keep in mind that, although the expression is valid, it could create verbosity. As a result it needs to be wisely employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still waiting

Directly expresses the ongoing state of waiting, less emphasis on the continuation.

persist in waiting

Emphasizes the determination to wait despite potential difficulties.

remaining patient

Highlights the act of staying calm while waiting.

keeping up the wait

Focuses on the maintenance of a waiting state.

holding out

Suggests waiting with hope or expectation.

lingering in anticipation

Emphasizes a prolonged wait filled with expectation.

maintaining a vigil

Implies a watchful, expectant wait.

biding time

Suggests waiting strategically for an opportune moment.

marking time

Describes a passive wait with little progress.

in a holding pattern

Waiting without advancement.

FAQs

What does "continuing to wait" mean?

The phrase "continuing to wait" means to keep waiting for something or someone, indicating that the waiting process is ongoing and has not yet been resolved.

What can I say instead of "continuing to wait"?

You can use alternatives like "still waiting", "persist in waiting", or "remaining patient" depending on the context.

How do I use "continuing to wait" in a sentence?

You can use "continuing to wait" to describe an action that is still in progress, for example: "The families are "continuing to wait" for news about their loved ones."

Is "continuing to wait" formal or informal?

"Continuing to wait" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, simpler alternatives like "still waiting" may be preferred in very informal settings.