had awaited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had awaited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was in a state of waiting for a particular event or person before a certain point in time. Example: "She had awaited his return for months, hoping he would come back to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

IT WAS a moment Russians had awaited for many years.

The Economist

He had awaited the gunshot, not daring to stir, then, losing control, started screaming.

The New Yorker

I had awaited this new version with skepticism and, well, an-tici-pation.

The New Yorker

He had just come from the nets, where as captain a special treat had awaited him.

The Guardian - Sport

The market value of the 4.3 million shares they had awaited rose $40 million in a day.

The New York Times

For days, investors had awaited the monthly unemployment report from the Labor Department to help them gauge the pace of the economic recovery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We now have 44 people in assessment – more than all three of the previous services combined ever had awaiting approval.

The Guardian

On countless occasions I have awaited payment for months.

The Guardian

Mr. Kerik has awaited sentencing under strict house arrest at his home in Franklin Lakes, N.J.

The New York Times

For decades, it has been football that has awaited refugees in Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

Even without a great collapse during the season, a postseason stumble might have awaited.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had awaited" to describe something that was expected or anticipated before a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the completion of the waiting.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense (e.g., "awaited") when the action of waiting occurred before another action in the past. Use "had awaited" to clearly establish the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had awaited" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of waiting that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to set a temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had awaited" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to establish a clear temporal sequence in the past, emphasizing that the action of waiting was completed before another event. While alternatives like "had been waiting for" or "had anticipated" exist, "had awaited" offers a concise and effective way to convey the sense of anticipation and completed waiting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been waiting for

Expresses a continuous state of waiting, emphasizing the duration of the anticipation.

had anticipated

Focuses on the expectation and prediction of an event, rather than the waiting itself.

had expected

Similar to 'had anticipated' but with a slightly weaker sense of certainty or preparation.

had been expecting

Similar to 'had expected', but emphasizes the state of expectation over time.

had looked forward to

Highlights the positive anticipation and enjoyment expected from an upcoming event.

had counted on

Highlights the reliance on an event or person, and the resulting anticipation.

had foreseen

Suggests a predictive element, implying the event was seen in advance.

had reckoned with

Suggests consideration of something as a factor or possibility, with resulting expectation.

had prepared for

Emphasizes the actions taken in readiness for a future event.

had bargained for

Implies that the expectation was part of a negotiation or agreement.

FAQs

How is "had awaited" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had awaited" indicates an action of waiting that was completed before another point in the past. For example: "They "had awaited" the verdict with bated breath."

What are some alternatives to "had awaited"?

Alternatives include "had been waiting for", "had anticipated", or "had expected". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "awaited" instead of "had awaited"?

Using "awaited" (simple past) is appropriate when describing a single event in the past. "Had awaited" (past perfect) is used when the waiting preceded another past event, establishing a clear sequence.

What's the difference between "had awaited" and "had been waiting for"?

"Had awaited" emphasizes the completed action of waiting, while ""had been waiting for"" emphasizes the duration of the waiting period. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the completion or the process of waiting.