impatient for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impatient for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is eagerly awaiting something or is feeling restless while they wait. For example, "The children were getting impatient for Christmas Day to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am impatient for it.

The New York Times - Arts

Everyone was impatient for lunch.

The New York Times

Kashmiris were impatient for change.

The New Yorker

I'm impatient for change.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are impatient for change.

The Guardian

China is, understandably, impatient for change.

The Economist

Some were impatient for action.

The Guardian

Others are also impatient for change.

The Guardian

Kellas was impatient for it to begin".

The Guardian - Books

Ingels was impatient for his first North American competition win.

The New Yorker

I was impatient for love, but not that impatient.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impatient for", make sure the context clearly indicates what the subject is eagerly waiting for to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She was impatient for the results of the exam" is more direct than "She was impatient".

Common error

Avoid using "impatient for" when the context implies more anxiety than eagerness. If the subject is worried rather than simply eager, phrases like "anxious about" or "concerned about" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impatient for" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing anticipation or eagerness. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it's used to describe feeling restless or eager while waiting for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impatient for" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express a feeling of eager anticipation, often tinged with a sense of restlessness or wanting something to happen sooner. As Ludwig AI validates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "eager for" or "anxious for" exist, "impatient for" specifically conveys a blend of eagerness and a wish for something to occur without delay. Use it to effectively communicate this nuanced emotion in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager for

Indicates a strong desire or enthusiasm for something.

keen for

Describes someone who is enthusiastic or eager.

can't wait for

An informal way to express strong anticipation.

looking forward to

A more polite and formal way to express anticipation.

anticipating

Focuses on the expectation of something happening.

awaiting

A formal term for waiting, often with a sense of expectation.

anxious for

Suggests a feeling of worry or unease alongside anticipation.

itching for

Suggests a strong, almost uncontrollable desire for something.

longing for

Implies a deep yearning or desire for something, often something unattainable.

yearning for

Similar to "longing for", but perhaps with a stronger emotional component.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "impatient for"?

You can use alternatives like "eager for", "anxious for", or "can't wait for" depending on the context.

How do I use "impatient for" in a sentence?

The phrase "impatient for" is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase that represents what someone is eagerly awaiting. For example, "They were impatient for the meeting to begin."

Is it correct to say "impatient to" instead of "impatient for"?

While "impatient for" is generally followed by a noun, "impatient to" is followed by a verb. For example, "He was impatient to start the project" uses "impatient to" correctly.

What's the difference between "impatient for" and "looking forward to"?

"Looking forward to" is a more neutral and polite way to express anticipation, while "impatient for" implies a stronger sense of eagerness and a desire for something to happen quickly. "Looking forward to" also indicates that the speaker/writer is happy about the event that will occur, "impatient for" can indicate the event that will occur is somehow delayed.