let us wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"let us wait" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting that a group of people should be patient or delay an action until a certain time or they have more information. For example: "Let us wait until we receive the results from the lab before we make our decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He said he told fighters: "Let us wait.

The New York Times

"Let us wait and see," said Mr. Subieh when asked if the pledge would be kept.

The New York Times

"Let us now wait for another four to six months; let us wait to see if the process is adequate".

The New York Times

(At the current rate, there shouldn't be another one until 2300 or so. Somehow, I don't think the Bordeaux marketing machine will let us wait until then).

The New York Times - Food

Let us wait and see, because if this could happen to Vernon Shultis, believe me, it could happen to any of us".

The New Yorker

"We don't believe it because it is not the first time he says that… He is still there, so let us wait and see.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Let us not wait until we use up the remaining third to fight global warming.

Huffington Post

Let us not wait 35 years to appreciate Brady and Manning.

The New York Times

Let us not wait for the next attack on British soil before we are spurred to action.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Heaven's sake, let us not wait to act until we have the perfect solution because the era of perfect solutions is still far away".

The New York Times

It is spurious, however, to suggest that the chancellor is proposing the offences in order to stay ahead of the curve; or, as he put it: "Let us not wait for the next wave of scandals in financial markets to hit us before we respond".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let us wait" when collectively suggesting a pause or delay in a decision or action, particularly when seeking more information or clarity. It's often used to encourage patience and avoid rash decisions.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "let us wait" can sound slightly informal in very formal writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "we should defer" or "it would be prudent to postpone" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let us wait" functions as a hortatory expression, encouraging a group, including the speaker, to postpone action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, indicating it effectively serves to advocate for patience or temporary inaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let us wait" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to suggest delaying action or decision-making. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, highlighting its function as a hortatory expression. It carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, while more formal options exist for professional settings. Alternatives such as "let's hold off" or "we should defer" can provide nuanced shades of meaning. Using the phrase wisely promotes patience and informed decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's hold off

More casual contraction of "let us", suggesting a temporary pause.

let's take a pause

Emphasizes a deliberate interruption before proceeding.

let's hold our horses

Idiomatic expression advising patience and restraint.

we should defer

Formal suggestion to postpone action to a later time.

we ought to delay

Suggestion to postpone, often to reassess or gather more information.

we must bide our time

Suggests waiting patiently for an opportune moment.

we shall wait

Formal and emphatic declaration of waiting.

let's delay our action

More descriptive, emphasizing postponement.

we will hold back

Implies restraint and avoidance of immediate action.

we can postpone it

Direct and practical suggestion of delaying something.

FAQs

How can I use "let us wait" in a sentence?

You can use "let us wait" to suggest a delay in action, such as, "Let us wait for the final results before making a decision".

What is a more formal alternative to "let us wait"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we should defer" or "it would be prudent to postpone".

When is it appropriate to use "let us wait and see"?

Use "let us wait and see" when the outcome is uncertain and you are advising patience until more information becomes available.

Is there a difference between "let us wait" and "let's wait"?

"Let's wait" is a contraction of "let us wait" and is generally considered more informal, though perfectly acceptable in most contexts.