is waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action where someone or something is in a state of anticipation or delay. Example: "The bus is waiting at the station for the passengers to board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His appointment is waiting".

The New Yorker

The woman is waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

Thailand is waiting.

The Economist

The country is waiting.

The New York Times

The Nada is waiting.

The New Yorker

"My darling is waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

The mud is waiting.

The New Yorker

The nation is waiting".

The New York Times

"Your plane is waiting".

The New Yorker

The world is waiting.

The New York Times

So maybe Girardi is waiting.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a more specific synonym if nuance is needed. For instance, use "is anticipating" to emphasize expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "waits" when you mean to describe an ongoing situation. "The train waits" implies a general truth, while "The train is waiting" indicates its current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is waiting" functions as a present continuous verb, indicating an action that is currently in progress. Ludwig provides many examples where it describes someone or something in a state of anticipation or delay, as confirmed by the large amount of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is waiting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present continuous verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts. It serves to describe a current state of anticipation or delay, is appropriate for most communication styles, and appears predominantly in news and media sources. For alternatives, consider using "is anticipating" or "is expecting" to add nuance. Remember to differentiate its usage from "waits" and avoid confusion with "is waiting on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is anticipating

Emphasizes expectation and preparation for something.

is expecting

Highlights the belief that something will occur.

is awaiting

A more formal synonym for "is waiting".

is standing by

Suggests readiness and availability to act when needed.

is in readiness

Formal and emphasizes being prepared.

is poised

Implies being in a state of balance and readiness for action.

is holding

Indicates a temporary delay before proceeding.

is on hold

Highlights that something is temporarily suspended.

is delayed

Focuses on the fact that something has been postponed.

is kept waiting

Emphasizes that the waiting is imposed by another.

FAQs

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

You can use "is waiting" to describe a state of anticipation or delay. For example, "The package "is waiting" to be shipped", or "The client "is waiting" for your response".

What are some alternatives to "is waiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is anticipating", "is expecting", or "is awaiting" as alternatives to "is waiting".

When should I use "is waiting" versus "awaits"?

"Is waiting" describes a continuous action in the present, while "awaits" is a more formal verb that implies anticipation. For example, "He "is waiting" for the bus" versus "The company "awaits" your response".

Is there a difference between "is waiting for" and "is waiting on"?

"Is waiting for" typically refers to awaiting something or someone, while "is waiting on" often implies serving someone. For example, "She "is waiting for" the doctor" versus "The server "is waiting on" the customers".