in suspense for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in suspense for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a state of anticipation or uncertainty about something that is expected to happen or be revealed in the future. Example: The entire town was in suspense for the announcement of the new mayor. After months of waiting, the villagers were finally in suspense for the arrival of the long-awaited monsoon rains. The audience was in suspense for the final reveal of the murderer in the play. The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the jury was in suspense for the verdict to be announced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Barça did not keep us in suspense for long.

The New York Times - Sports

We weren't kept in suspense for very long.

The New Yorker

Dee keeps us in suspense for quite a long time, toggling back and forth between Molly and John.

The New York Times - Books

This year, in spite of his best efforts, they provided a race lacking in suspense for almost half its distance.

The Guardian - Sport

The US attorney's office kept the accused in suspense for six months before finally dropping the charges.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gerome Nox's industrial, menacing score howls Sturm und Drang, and the audience waits, in suspense, for action that never takes place.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

His rights are "in suspense" (LPPO 103).

SEP

Germany's European allies have been in suspense, waiting for the continent's most important election this year.

The New York Times

In watching those clips, I realise that I seemed to specialise in suspense pictures for a while.

The Guardian - Film

As scores of family members here and around the nation waited in cruel suspense for news of loved ones, search teams used high technology and muscle, digging by hand in places, and pawing earth with big machines for places of possible refuge: car interiors, corners of houses that somehow stayed intact.

The New York Times

Wendy has twice been nominated for the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award; and is the recipient of the Romance Writers of America Rita Award; the RT Book Reviews Award for Career Achievement in Suspense; the RWA/NYC Golden Apple for Lifetime Achievement; and many other honors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in suspense for" when you want to highlight the duration of uncertainty or anticipation someone experiences before a resolution or reveal.

Common error

Avoid using "in suspension for" when you mean "in suspense for". "Suspension" implies a temporary cessation or pause, while "suspense" refers to a state of uncertainty or excitement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in suspense for" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a state of uncertainty or anticipation lasting for a specific duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in suspense for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes a state of anticipation or uncertainty that lasts for a particular duration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys a sense of prolonged waiting. Related phrases include "awaiting with bated breath for" and "on tenterhooks for". Remember to avoid confusing "suspense" with "suspension". Use "in suspense for" to emphasize the period of uncertainty before a resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting with anticipation for

Simply uses anticipation without implying negative feelings.

anxiously waiting for

This alternative focuses on the anxious aspect of waiting, highlighting worry or concern.

on tenterhooks for

This alternative conveys a feeling of nervous anticipation or anxiety about something that is going to happen.

on the edge of one's seat for

More figurative and emphasizes excitement and nervousness.

awaiting with bated breath for

This alternative emphasizes heightened anticipation or excitement, adding emotional intensity.

holding one's breath for

Suggests a moment of high tension or uncertainty.

eagerly anticipating

This alternative replaces suspense with eagerness, shifting the focus to positive expectation.

in agonizing anticipation of

This alternative emphasizes the discomfort and distress of waiting.

with keen anticipation for

A more formal alternative, highlighting a strong sense of excitement and eagerness.

in expectation of

Changes the tone to be more formal. It conveys a sense of confident expectancy.

FAQs

How can I use "in suspense for" in a sentence?

You can use "in suspense for" to describe a period of uncertainty or anticipation. For example, "The audience was kept in suspense for the final act."

What are some alternatives to "in suspense for"?

Alternatives include "awaiting with bated breath for", "on tenterhooks for", or "anxiously waiting for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in suspense of" instead of "in suspense for"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "for". "In suspense of" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "in suspense for" and "in anticipation of"?

"In suspense for" emphasizes the duration of uncertainty or excitement, while "in anticipation of" simply highlights the expectation of something happening.