is someone waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is someone waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire if there is a person who is expecting someone or something, often in contexts like transportation or meetings. Example: "As I arrived at the station, I wondered if someone was waiting for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"A refugee is someone waiting to go somewhere else," Yindy tells him.

The New Yorker

There is someone waiting for you at home.

University of Chicago

I know that there is someone waiting for you to open up your heart.

Huffington Post

Sometimes all a person needs to feel better after a bad day is someone waiting at their doorstep with their arms open.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There must always be someone waiting in the wings, the "next" one.

The New York Times

There's someone waiting for their spot if they don't do a good job".

The New York Times

"Maybe there's someone waiting for me/ With a smile and a flower in her hair".

The Guardian - Travel

Then a waiter came to tell him there was someone waiting to speak to him on a long-distance call.

Independent

Why? Was someone waiting in the back seat when he drove out of a Baltimore parking garage that night?

The Washington Post

Not only is there so much at stake they know there will always be someone waiting to take a picture of them overindulging and tweeting it or whatever.

Independent

I finally arrived at Hastings where there was someone waiting with the ramp, meaning I could make a swift and uncomplicated exit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is potentially waiting and for whom they are waiting. For example, "Is someone waiting for you at the airport?" provides a clear context.

Common error

Avoid using "is someone waiting" when you actually mean to ask if someone is available or ready to assist immediately. The phrase implies an expectation and anticipation, not immediate availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is someone waiting" functions primarily as an interrogative clause. It's designed to elicit a response, confirming or denying the presence of a person anticipating someone's arrival. As Ludwig AI highlights, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is someone waiting" is a grammatically correct interrogative used to inquire if a person is anticipating the arrival of someone else. Though relatively rare in occurrence, as evidenced by Ludwig, it finds use in diverse contexts from news and media to academic discussions. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; specify who is expected and who is waiting. Be mindful to avoid using it when you simply need to know if someone is currently available. Alternatives such as "is anybody expecting" or "is there anyone expected" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is anybody expecting

Replaces "someone" with "anybody", focusing on whether there's anyone at all anticipating someone's arrival.

is there anyone expected

Shifts the focus to whether anyone is anticipated, using 'expected' instead of 'waiting'.

are they expected

Short and direct way of asking if someone's arrival is anticipated.

is someone anticipated

Similar to the previous alternative, but more concise and passive.

is a person expecting them

Rephrases to emphasize a person's expectation rather than the act of waiting.

will anyone meet them

Poses the question of whether someone will be there to greet them.

is there a greeter

Specifically asks about a person assigned to welcome or meet someone.

does anyone await them

Uses the more formal 'await' in place of 'wait'.

is there a designated person

Asks specifically if someone has been assigned to wait.

is there a pickup arranged

Focuses on logistical arrangements for meeting someone.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask "is someone waiting"?

In formal contexts, you might ask "Is there anyone expected?" or "Is someone anticipated?". These phrases maintain a polite and professional tone.

How can I use "is someone waiting" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I'm arriving at the station; "is someone waiting" for me?".

What does "is someone waiting" imply?

It implies that there is an expectation or arrangement for someone to be present, anticipating the arrival of another person. It suggests a pre-planned meeting or pickup.

What can I say instead of "is someone waiting" when asking about immediate availability?

If you want to know if someone is available right now, you could ask "Is anyone available?" or "Is there anyone who can assist me?" instead.