did not wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something failed to wait for a specified period or event. Example: "She did not wait for the bus and decided to walk instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They did not wait.

University of California, Berkeley

Others did not wait.

The New York Times

Lincoln did not wait.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most did not wait.

The New York Times

Marleny did not wait.

The New York Times

And opportunity did not wait.

The New York Times

They did not wait long.

The New York Times - Sports

McLendon did not wait long.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not wait long.

The New York Times

She did not wait for the funeral.

Independent

But the militias did not wait.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not wait" to emphasize the proactive nature of an action, particularly when contrasting it with a scenario where waiting would have been expected.

Common error

Avoid using "did not wait" when the context doesn't imply an expected or reasonable waiting period. Ensure the situation naturally suggests a scenario where delaying action was a viable option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not wait" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the absence of delay or procrastination in taking action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it describes immediate responses to situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Sports

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not wait" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the absence of delay in taking action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. As demonstrated in the examples, it's prevalent in news, sports, and academic contexts. When employing "did not wait", ensure that the context naturally implies an expected or reasonable waiting period to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "acted immediately" or "took immediate action" can offer a more formal tone if needed. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "did not wait" to emphasize proactivity and immediacy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't delay

A more direct synonym, focusing on the absence of postponement.

acted without delay

Emphasizes the promptness of the action, indicating no time was wasted.

lost no time

Indicates that the action was taken quickly and without delay.

wasted no time

Highlights the efficiency and avoidance of any delay.

acted immediately

Focuses on the promptness of the action, omitting the explicit waiting aspect.

started right away

Focuses on the immediate commencement of the action.

took immediate action

Highlights the decisiveness and quickness of the response.

proceeded at once

Stresses the immediacy and lack of pause before starting.

jumped right in

Emphasizes eagerness and direct involvement without hesitation.

moved without hesitation

Focuses on the confidence and speed of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "did not wait" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "acted immediately" or "took immediate action", which convey a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "did not wait" and "didn't hesitate"?

"Did not wait" implies a lack of delay in general, while "didn't hesitate" suggests a lack of indecision or reluctance before acting. The former focuses on time, the latter on willingness.

When is it appropriate to use "did not wait" in writing?

Use "did not wait" when you want to emphasize that someone acted quickly, especially in a situation where others might have expected them to pause or delay their actions. For example: "The company "did not wait" for the market to recover and launched a new product line."

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "did not wait"?

Avoid using "did not wait" in contexts where there was no expectation of waiting. For instance, saying "He "did not wait" to breathe" is nonsensical because breathing is an immediate, continuous action. Ensure the context logically implies a potential delay.