endless waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

'endless waiting' is correct and can be used in written English to describe a situation where a person has to wait for an undefined, seemingly never-ending amount of time.
Example: After endless waiting, the bus finally arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It's endless waiting around.

The Guardian - Film

Narrators in Antonio Di Benedetto's novels are suspended in endless waiting.

The New Yorker

By Benjamin Kunkel Narrators in Antonio Di Benedetto's novels are suspended in endless waiting.

The New Yorker

The onyx Lancôme Phia lip gloss in question proved a cult hit, with a reportedly endless waiting list, but beyond the mouths of die-hard fashion-lovers, it was nowhere to be seen in the real world.

Independent

And yet, amid the pitiless social Darwinism of this twilight existence of lorry jumping and endless waiting for a ticket to a questionable British El Dorado, there is a grim determination and strange optimism.

Independent

Needle sticks, IVs, vaginal probes, counting eggs, counting days, calculating hormone levels, the endless waiting.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They also built 600 Madison Avenue, at 58th, an office building with large murals over the elevator doors to relieve what Thomas Frouge told The New York Times was the "psychologically endless" wait for elevators, a rather sensitive remark for a developer working in purely functional times.

The New York Times

An endless wait in a crowded room.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What's been happening as the endless wait for reform drags on has been ugly.

The New York Times

Gone are endless waits and dingy rooms filled with injured patients and anguished relatives.

The New York Times

So much for national health care inevitably resulting in a lack of choice or endless waits.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "endless waiting" to vividly describe situations where the duration of waiting feels indefinite and frustrating. For impact, follow it with an explanation of the consequences or emotional toll.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "endless waiting" can sometimes sound melodramatic in formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "extended delay" or "protracted waiting period" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endless waiting" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "endless" modifies the noun "waiting". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is used to describe a prolonged state of anticipation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "endless waiting" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a prolonged and seemingly never-ending period of anticipation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usefulness in conveying frustration or hopelessness. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "extended delay". The phrase is a vivid way to express the emotional toll of a prolonged waiting period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relentless waiting

Emphasizes the persistent and unyielding nature of the waiting.

infinite waiting

Highlights the seemingly limitless duration of the waiting period.

never-ending waiting

Directly expresses the feeling that the waiting has no foreseeable conclusion.

eternal waiting

Conveys a sense of timelessness and the feeling that the waiting will never end.

perpetual waiting

Stresses the continuous and ongoing aspect of the waiting.

indefinite waiting

Focuses on the lack of a clear end or defined duration for the waiting period.

unceasing waiting

Similar to relentless waiting, but focuses on the lack of pauses or breaks in the waiting.

protracted waiting

Highlights the extended duration of the waiting period, often suggesting it's longer than expected.

interminable waiting

Emphasizes the tiresome and seemingly never-ending nature of the waiting.

long drawn out waiting

Highlights the gradual and tedious nature of the waiting experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "endless waiting" to describe a prolonged and seemingly never-ending period of anticipation. For instance, "The asylum seekers faced "endless waiting" for their cases to be processed."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "endless waiting"?

Alternatives to "endless waiting" include "relentless waiting", "infinite waiting", or "perpetual waiting", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the prolonged wait.

Is "endless waiting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "endless waiting" is grammatically correct. "Endless" is an adjective modifying the noun "waiting", forming a descriptive phrase.

What's the difference between "endless waiting" and "long waiting"?

"Endless waiting" implies a duration that feels indefinite and potentially never-ending, while "long waiting" simply refers to a waiting period of considerable duration, without necessarily suggesting it feels infinite. The term "endless waiting" has more emotional weight.