curb waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curb waiting" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts related to waiting at the curb, such as for a taxi or ride-sharing service. Example: "After a long day, I found myself curb waiting for my ride to arrive."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A line of well-dressed diners, standing on the curb waiting for valets to bring their cars, stared at him, aghast.

The New Yorker

I met Vicenta Delgado in the fall of 2011, while she was sitting on the curb waiting for the pantry on LeHigh Avenue to open.

The New Yorker

On the northeast corner of 38th St. & 5th, three people, two men and a woman, clearly strangers to each other, were standing at the curb waiting for the light to change.

The New Yorker

Crowds were massing near the curb, waiting to cross Fifth Avenue, then sallying forth as the light changed only to pull up short halfway across, confronted by an oncoming wall of more people.

The New York Times

A 34-year-old woman was killed by a truck yesterday in the Bronx as she stood on a curb waiting to cross a street near Co-Op City, the authorities said.

The New York Times

And it explained why Rosenberg's bicycle and his body were found in such peculiar positions at the crime scene: as the hit man who pulled the trigger confessed, Rosenberg had got off his bicycle at the designated spot and was sitting on the curb, waiting for his assassin, when the hit man shot him three times in the head, once in the neck, and once in the chest.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The sidewalks were fairly full of pedestrians, with tourists perched like anxious birds on the curbs, waiting for the lights to change, and New Yorkers charging right across the streets.

The New York Times

While I'd always enjoyed going to school, I hated waking up at six in the morning, dragging myself to the curb, and waiting for the bus in the cold.

Vice

Puzzled, I pulled my cherry-red BMW to the curb and waited.

The Guardian - Opinion

I took it out to the curb and waited to see it get loaded into the truck this morning.

The New Yorker

Z. wavered again, leaning hard against me, and we sat on the curb to wait for the cab N. had called.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider using more common alternatives like "waiting at the curb" or "waiting by the curb" for improved clarity and broader understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "curb waiting" always implies a passive state. If the context involves active hailing or signaling, use phrases like "hailing a ride from the curb" to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curb waiting" functions as a compound noun, where "curb" modifies the gerund "waiting". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is understandable but less common than alternatives, acting as a description of an activity taking place near a curb.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curb waiting" refers to the act of waiting near a curb, most often for transportation or assistance. While understandable, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is less common and might benefit from using more standard alternatives like "waiting at the curb" or "waiting by the curb". Its usage is mostly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. For clarity and broader acceptance, especially in formal writing, consider opting for more conventional phrasing. Although "curb waiting" is not incorrect, its infrequent use may lead to occasional ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting at the curb

This alternative uses a preposition to clarify the location of waiting, making it more explicit.

waiting by the curb

Similar to 'waiting at the curb', this clarifies the waiting location with a different preposition.

standing at the curb waiting

This includes the action of 'standing', providing additional detail about the person's posture while waiting.

sitting on the curb waiting

This specifies the action of 'sitting', changing the posture while waiting.

loitering at the curb

This alternative implies a less purposeful waiting, suggesting aimless lingering.

idling by the curb

This suggests a paused or inactive state of waiting, possibly implying a vehicle.

expecting a ride at the curb

Focuses on the expectation of being picked up.

awaiting transportation at curbside

More formal language indicating waiting for transport.

queuing at the curb

Implies waiting in a line or order, usually for something like a taxi.

hailing a ride from the curb

This alternative changes the action from simply waiting to actively seeking transportation.

FAQs

What does "curb waiting" mean?

"Curb waiting" describes the act of waiting at or near a curb, often in anticipation of transportation, such as a taxi or ride-sharing service. It is not as common as phrases like "waiting at the curb" or "waiting by the curb".

Is "curb waiting" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "curb waiting" is not a standard expression. Alternatives like "waiting at the curb" or "waiting by the curb" are more common and grammatically explicit.

What can I say instead of "curb waiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "waiting at the curb", "standing at the curb waiting", or "sitting on the curb waiting". The best choice depends on the specific action and location you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "curb waiting"?

Although not very common, "curb waiting" can be used in informal contexts where the meaning is clear from the surrounding sentences. However, in formal or professional writing, it's advisable to use more standard phrases for better clarity and wider acceptance.