in the wait for

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the wait for" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to mean a period of time spent waiting for something. For example, "I spent the morning in the wait for the bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The little pens, the forms to fill in, the wait for a number to be called, all echo the paraphernalia of a betting shop, a bingo hall or a long wait in a government building.

The Guardian - Business

In this place, as in the wait for Godot, there is no purposeful human agency.

The Guardian - Books

That is the great point of suspense in the wait for this decision.

The New Yorker

Prime Minister David Cameron echoed support for Stephen's parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence, saying they have "suffered far too much" in the wait for the truth about their son's murder.

Independent

They are also people who can find themselves in extremes of poverty (fuel poverty, in particular), of isolation, of loneliness and of hopelessness in the wait for death, unimaginable to anyone younger.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once all the paperwork is in, the wait for citizenship can be anywhere from a year to up to 10 years -- as in more restrictive countries like Japan and Germany.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In addition, the wait for information through letters could be a frustrating time for participants.

BMJ Open

Being immaculately dressed and running on the dark side of society, imprisonment wasn't long in the waiting for Malcolm.

The Guardian - Opinion

However much stocks, mortgages, or what have you might be poked along by another round of quantitative easing, yet more capital, along with the mountain already there, will park itself on the sidelines in gold in the wait for sound-money policy from the Fed.

Forbes

Blah-blah maintains contact the way plants in the winter wait for the warmth of spring.

Los Angeles Times

Trapezes, swaying lightly in the breeze, wait for women in glittering outfits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the wait for", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being awaited. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in the wait for" when the subject is actively working towards something. The phrase implies a passive state of anticipation, not active engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the wait for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a period of anticipation or expectancy. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the wait for" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a period of anticipation or expectancy, as confirmed by Ludwig. While Ludwig examples demonstrate that it's not as common as other alternatives, it appears across various reputable sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being awaited to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "while awaiting" or "in anticipation of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in anticipation of

Stresses the feeling of looking forward to something.

while expecting

Combines the action of waiting and expecting during a time period.

while awaiting

Focuses on the act of waiting during a specific timeframe.

expecting

A more concise way to express anticipation.

as we await

A formal way to express waiting.

pending the arrival of

Emphasizes the anticipation of something's arrival.

during the lead-up to

Highlights the events and time period preceding a significant event.

during the interim before

Highlights the time between events.

prior to

Indicates something happening before another event.

before the onset of

Emphasizes the time before something begins, often something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "in the wait for" in a sentence?

You can use "in the wait for" to describe a period of anticipation before an event. For instance, "She found herself restless in the wait for the test results."

What are some alternatives to "in the wait for"?

Consider using alternatives such as "pending the arrival of", "while awaiting", or "in anticipation of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "in the wait for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "in the wait for" is grammatically correct, although there might be more common or stylistically preferred alternatives in certain contexts.

When should I use "in the wait for" versus "while waiting for"?

"In the wait for" emphasizes the state or period of anticipation, while "while waiting for" focuses on the action of waiting itself. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended focus.