it waited for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it waited for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something or someone is in a state of anticipation or delay for another thing or person. Example: "The train was delayed, and it waited for the passengers to arrive before departing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The regulators said the FSA was only allowed to begin its review of staff culpability in September 2012 while it waited for its own assessment of the bank's failure to be completed.

The Guardian - Business

The idea was just to give the Museum of Contemporary Art a place to exhibit for a year or two while it waited for its fancy new building, by Arata Isozaki, to be ready.

The New Yorker

Selling at the trough would seem to be a management misstep, since Sears might fetch a higher price for its unit if it waited for the business to recover.

The New York Times

Yesterday's deal allows the trash authority to essentially sell its place in line in the bankruptcy case to an arm of Deutsche Bank, which offered the most of five final bidders, and it guarantees the state a $28.5 million premium over the $82.7 million in cash and stock that it might have collected had it waited for its share of proceeds from the bankruptcy.

The New York Times

A ban was imposed on supermarkets in England in April, and the Welsh government said it delayed introducing its ban while it waited for the outcome of a legal challenge to the English legislation.

BBC

Originally, United borrowed $1 billion to keep its operations going while it waited for an answer from a federal loan board on its bid for a guarantee package, which it hoped to use as the basis of its restructuring.

The New York Times

But he said BP would improve its chances for success if it waited for the second relief well to be completed, so that it could pump twice as much mud into "a well that's this powerful, this productive and this problematic".

The New York Times

The crow landed near a tree and neglected its mission for several days while it waited for the s to ripen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We" — wait for it! wait for it!

The New York Times - Arts

Wait for it, wait for it... the American Meat Institute says "nah".

The New York Times

If Bryan wants it, wait for me".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it waited for" to create a sense of anticipation or expectation in your writing, highlighting the importance of the awaited event or action. For example: "The city waited for the election results with bated breath."

Common error

Avoid using "it waited for" when the subject is a person or a group of people; use "they", "he", or "she" instead. For example, instead of "It waited for the bus", write "She waited for the bus."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it waited for" functions as a verb phrase where "waited" is the main verb in the past tense, indicating a state of anticipation or delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it waited for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes a period of anticipation or delay. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its prevalent use across diverse contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias and wikis. When using this phrase, clarity in defining the subject 'it' is essential to avoid ambiguity. While grammatically correct, its use is generally confined to inanimate subjects or entities, with human subjects requiring alternative phrasing. Given its versatility and widespread acceptance, mastering the application of "it waited for" can enhance the descriptive quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it bided its time for

Emphasizes a deliberate waiting period with a specific goal or opportunity in mind.

it paused for

Highlights a temporary halt or interruption before continuing, often to allow something else to occur.

it was on hold for

Emphasizes that an action or process is temporarily suspended.

it anticipated

Focuses on the expectation of something happening, often with a sense of excitement or preparation.

it held back for

Implies restraint or suppression of action until the appropriate time.

it stood by for

Suggests readiness and availability while awaiting instructions or a specific moment.

it marked time for

Indicates a period of inactivity or routine while waiting for something significant.

it stayed put for

Highlights remaining in a fixed location during a waiting period.

it remained still for

Emphasizes stillness and lack of movement during a period of anticipation.

it cooled its heels for

Suggests an informal and potentially impatient waiting period.

FAQs

How can I use "it waited for" in a sentence?

Use "it waited for" to indicate a period of anticipation or delay before an action or event. For instance, "The software "it waited for" an update before installing" implies the software was in a state of pause.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "it waited for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it anticipated", "it paused for", or "it bided its time for", each emphasizing a different nuance of the waiting period depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "it waited for"?

Yes, "it waited for" is grammatically correct when the subject 'it' is clearly defined and its reference is unambiguous. The phrase is commonly used in various forms of writing.

What is the difference between "it waited for" and "it was waiting for"?

"It waited for" implies a completed action of waiting, while "it was waiting for" suggests a continuous state of waiting at a specific point in time. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the completion or the duration of the waiting period.