impatiently

USAGE SUMMARY

'impatiently' is a correctly spelled and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb that can be used to describe an action that is done in an eager and restless manner. Example sentence: She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for her turn in line.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I sat in a restaurant in Portonovo in Italy 40 years ago, waiting impatiently for the boats bringing fresh mussels for dinner.

The Guardian - Travel

He is about to leave for another base, and his convoy of MRAPs waits impatiently behind him in the brownish morning light that settles on the camp.

The New York Times

While his team-mates were celebrating the goals that won Real Madrid's tenth European Cup, Ronaldo made his way back to the halfway line and waited impatiently for the game to resume.

The Guardian - Sport

"The way our government handled the Chibok girls' case goes beyond an election matter," she says impatiently.

The Guardian

Igo Sym remains on the sidelines, waiting for a future role in her story, just as she impatiently waits for him.As with Gloria's own isolation, Mr Flusfeder has a formal device for suggesting the terrible uncertainty that descends on the city, erasing any sense of boundary or safety.

The Economist

And the European Union and the IMF, who oversee Greece's bail-out, were waiting impatiently for the government to come up with the names of 2,000 public-sector workers to be sacked by June 30th.Mr Samaras pledged to have a lean new public broadcaster, with only 1,200 employees, up and running by August.

The Economist

Siemens's shareholders are waiting impatiently for another turnaround.

The Economist

PAUL MARTIN'S long wait, impatiently endured, to become Canada's next prime minister is almost over.

The Economist

Just as the audience begins to wriggle impatiently in their seats, a fanfare sounds and the main attraction takes the stage.So it went in a gargantuan marquee on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington, on October 30th, except that this headline speaker was not trying to save souls.

The Economist

ONE spring morning in 1933, Max Ophuls, a celebrated film and stage director, arrived at his theatre in Berlin to find an underfed young man in a raincoat waiting impatiently for him in his office.

The Economist

If the BJP does badly in state elections on November 25th, as exit polls suggest, insurance reform could become a casualty of the ensuing parliamentary mêlée.Still, hopes are high among the foreign insurers queuing impatiently for admission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impatiently", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is impatient about. Providing this clarity will enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "impatiently" when a milder adverb like "eagerly" or "anxiously" would better convey the intended nuance. "Impatiently" suggests a stronger, potentially negative feeling.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "impatiently" primarily functions as a modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It adds detail and conveys the subject's state of mind. The Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage as an adverb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impatiently" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb to describe actions performed with a lack of patience or eagerness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used correctly and effectively across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While its formality is generally neutral, careful consideration of intensity relative to similar adverbs can improve writing precision. When aiming for clarity, specify the cause of impatience. The Ludwig AI confirms it is correctly spelled and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without patience

Direct synonym focusing on the absence of patience.

Restlessly

Highlights the inability to stay still or quiet due to impatience.

Eagerly

Focuses more on enthusiasm and anticipation, less on the lack of patience.

In a rush

Expresses a sense of urgency and a desire to expedite things.

Anxiously

Emphasizes worry or nervousness alongside impatience.

Hastily

Focuses on speed and urgency, potentially driven by impatience.

In haste

Similar to hastily, but can emphasize a sense of panic or urgency.

With anticipation

Highlights eagerness and expectation, a facet of impatience.

Fretfully

Indicates a state of worry mixed with impatience.

Edgily

Suggests nervousness and a heightened state of anticipation, often associated with impatience.

FAQs

How can I use "impatiently" in a sentence?

You can use "impatiently" to describe how someone performs an action, such as "He tapped his foot impatiently" or "She waited impatiently for the news".

What can I say instead of "impatiently"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerly", "restlessly", or "anxiously", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "waiting with impatience" instead of "waiting impatiently"?

While "waiting with impatience" is grammatically correct, "waiting impatiently" is more concise and commonly used. The latter is generally preferred for its directness.

What's the difference between "impatient" and "impatiently"?

"Impatient" is an adjective that describes a person's state of mind or character (e.g., "He is an impatient person"). "Impatiently" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed (e.g., "He waited impatiently").