has waited for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has waited for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been in a state of waiting for something or someone for a period of time leading up to the present. Example: "She has waited for the bus for over an hour, growing increasingly impatient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Howe has waited for his slumbering offense to awaken.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is the moment Alexander has waited for all his life.

University of California, Berkeley

Odysseus's dog Argos has waited for his long-lost master to return from Troy.

Independent

He has waited for his chance and now it has arrived.

Independent

Anyone who has waited for a red light knows that not all minutes are created equal.

The New York Times - Science

He has waited for six weeks for his name to be called.

The Washington Post

She has waited for her husband's return home for 12 long years.

The Guardian

He has waited for a long mourning period to be enthroned.

The New York Times

And so, the Mathematics of Plants has waited for a more sympathetic era to begin revealing itself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since Marco Polo, the West has waited for the "Asian Century". Today, the world believes that Century has arrived.

Yale University

For three years, she has waited for a judge to decide her case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "has waited for" with stronger verbs like 'anticipated', 'yearned', or 'expected' to convey more specific emotions or emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "has waited for" when the waiting period is still ongoing. In such cases, "has been waiting for" is more appropriate to indicate the continuous nature of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has waited for" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (waiting) that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. It shows the duration or culmination of anticipation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has waited for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed present perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly conveys anticipation, expectation, or the end of a waiting period. While versatile, it's important to consider the context, as ongoing waiting periods are better expressed with "has been waiting for". Alternatives such as 'anticipated' or 'yearned' can provide nuanced emphasis. With its neutral register, "has waited for" is suitable for various forms of communication, as showed by Ludwig, ranging from news articles to academic papers. Ensure clarity and precision in your writing by understanding the subtle distinctions between "has waited for" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been awaiting

Similar meaning, emphasizing the continuous nature of the waiting.

has anticipated

Focuses on expecting something with a degree of excitement or preparation.

has looked forward to

Expresses positive anticipation and eagerness.

has been expecting

Highlights the expectation of something happening.

has yearned for

Implies a strong desire and longing.

has longed for

Similar to 'yearned for', but can also suggest a sense of sadness or nostalgia.

has been delayed for

Focuses on the delay experienced while waiting.

has put off until

Emphasizes the act of postponing an action or event.

has deferred until

A more formal way of saying 'has delayed until'.

has held out for

Suggests waiting for something specific and often better.

FAQs

How can I use "has waited for" in a sentence?

You can use "has waited for" to describe someone's anticipation of an event. For example, "He has waited for this moment his entire life".

What's a good alternative to "has waited for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has anticipated", "has looked forward to", or "has been awaiting".

Is there a difference between "has waited for" and "has been waiting for"?

"Has waited for" implies a completed period of waiting, while "has been waiting for" suggests the waiting is ongoing. For example, "She has waited for the bus" (it has now arrived) versus "She has been waiting for the bus" (it hasn't arrived yet).

Can "has waited for" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "has waited for" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider stronger verbs like 'anticipated' or 'expected' for a more sophisticated tone, as in "The company has waited for regulatory approval".