expect to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"expect to wait" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate that someone should anticipate having to wait for a period of time. For example: 1. "Please be advised that due to high demand, we expect you to wait up to 30 minutes for a response from our customer service team." 2. "Don't forget to factor in extra time for travel delays - you can expect to wait at least 45 minutes for the train to arrive." 3. "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the doctor is running behind schedule today. Patients should expect to wait an additional 20 minutes before being seen." 4. "If you're planning on attending the concert, expect to wait in line for at least an hour before the doors open." In all of these examples, "expect to wait" is used to convey the idea that there will be a delay or period of waiting that is to be expected. It is a polite way of informing someone about the potential wait time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Research shows that women have systematically lower compensation expectations than men and expect to wait longer for promotions.

Huffington Post

Expect to wait it out though, as crisis is not a short-term expectation.

Forbes

How long can I expect to wait?

The New Yorker

Until then, expect to wait.

The Washington Post

Reservations are not accepted, so expect to wait.

The New York Times

One warning: Go early and expect to wait.

The New York Times - Travel

Weekends are worse; a nonmember can expect to wait more than five hours.

The New York Times - Arts

Dinner for two runs under $20; expect to wait for a table.

The New York Times - Travel

At the height of its popularity, people could expect to wait years for Bozo tickets.

The New York Times

Expect to wait outside for an hour or so on weekends.

The New York Times - Travel

RESERVATIONS -- Recommended every day, but on weekends expect to wait at least 45 minutes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expect to wait", clearly state the reason for the anticipated wait to manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid making vague statements about waiting times; always provide a specific timeframe if possible. Instead of saying "expect to wait a while", try "expect to wait approximately 30 minutes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect to wait" functions as an infinitive phrase, where "expect" acts as the main verb expressing anticipation, and "to wait" specifies the action one anticipates. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expect to wait" is a grammatically correct and very common infinitive phrase used to communicate an anticipated delay or waiting period. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, and Wiki sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication contexts. While alternatives like "anticipate a delay" exist for more formal settings, "expect to wait" effectively sets expectations. When using this phrase, providing specific timeframes and reasons for the wait enhances clarity and manages potential frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate a wait

Replaces "expect" with "anticipate" and simplifies the infinitive phrase.

foresee a delay

Substitutes "expect to wait" with a more direct acknowledgement of a delay.

prepare for a waiting period

Replaces "expect" with "prepare for" and "wait" with "waiting period", adding emphasis on readiness.

be ready to wait

Focuses on the readiness for a waiting period rather than the expectation.

should anticipate waiting

Adds "should" to convey a recommendation to anticipate the wait.

count on waiting

Uses "count on" instead of "expect", implying a reliance on the waiting period.

plan for a wait

Replaces "expect" with "plan for", suggesting proactive planning.

it is likely you will wait

Expresses the expectation as a likelihood of waiting.

there may be a wait

Indicates the possibility of a wait, rather than a definite expectation.

a delay is probable

Uses "probable" to suggest the likelihood of a delay.

FAQs

How can I use "expect to wait" in a sentence?

You can use "expect to wait" to inform someone that they will likely need to wait for something. For example, "If you arrive after 6 PM, you can "expect to wait" for a table".

What's a more formal way to say "expect to wait"?

In a more formal context, you could use "anticipate a delay" or "should anticipate waiting" instead of ""expect to wait"".

What can I say instead of "expect to wait" to soften the message?

To soften the message, you could say "there may be a wait" or "prepare for a waiting period" instead of ""expect to wait"".

Is it correct to say "expected to wait" instead of "expect to wait"?

"Expected to wait" is used when referring to a past expectation. For example, "We were expected to wait, but the service was surprisingly fast". "Expect to wait" is for future or general expectations.