loitered there

USAGE SUMMARY

"loitered there" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone lingering or hanging around a specific place without a clear purpose. Example: "They loitered there, waiting for the bus to arrive." Alternative expressions include "hung around" and "lingered there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The pigeon loitered there for a while.

The New Yorker

A security camera and floodlights appeared outside her front door, supplementing the plain-clothes men who loitered there.

The Economist

5.34pm BST Francesco Molinari has loitered there or thereabouts all week, without ever making the front running.

The Guardian - Sport

We could choose from dozens: the magnificent, intimidating "UL", the University Library with its architecture reminiscent of the Third Reich; the homely library for social and political science (my subject); the red-brick 1970s history library (a favoured choice for girls on account of the handsome toffs who loitered there with jumpers around their shoulders).

The Guardian

But if people loitered there too long, they were also in danger of being arrested by local police, Monroy added.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So I started loitering there on weekends.

The New York Times

A crowd of them loiters there every morning, rain or shine, schoolwork clutched in their arms.

The Guardian - Books

But there will be "no bubble zone" around the site; drug-dealers loitering there will be nicked.

The Economist

Tea-smoked ribs had a great texture, the meat falling off the bone as if it was only loitering there until a better offer came along.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I grew up drawing them, and I worked in a pet shop when I was thirteen to sixteen years old — a job I got just by loitering there long enough for them to hire me".

The New Yorker

I was on the plane coming home from the funeral, and I woke up from a deep sleep, and the first word that came to mind was "Newburgh". So I started loitering there on weekends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loitered there" to describe a situation where someone remained in a place, especially in a public area, without an obvious reason or purpose. It often implies a degree of idleness or lingering.

Common error

Avoid using "loitered there" when you simply mean someone was present or waited briefly. "Loitered" suggests a more prolonged, aimless presence, and misusing it can alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loitered there" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of lingering or remaining in a specific location. The verb "loitered" describes the manner of staying, while "there" specifies the place. Ludwig provides examples that support this grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "loitered there" describes lingering or remaining in a specific location, often without a clear purpose. Ludwig's analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and generally neutral in register. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, though its overall frequency is rare. The provided examples and analysis underscore the importance of using this phrase when aiming to convey a sense of aimless or prolonged presence in a particular place. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of "loitered there" in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lingered there

Replaces "loitered" with "lingered", suggesting a slightly softer, more contemplative form of staying in a place.

Remained there

Focuses on the state of staying in a place, rather than the manner of staying.

Stayed there

A more general term for remaining in a location, lacking the connotation of aimlessness.

Hung around there

Uses a more informal, casual phrasing to indicate remaining in a place.

Waited there

Indicates staying in a place with the specific intention of awaiting something or someone.

Dallied there

Implies a leisurely, perhaps reluctant, delay in departing.

Tarried there

A somewhat old-fashioned term for lingering, suggesting a deliberate choice to stay.

Lazed there

Suggests relaxing and idling while staying in a place.

Idled there

Focuses on inactivity and lack of purpose while remaining in a location.

Loafed around there

Similar to "hung around", but with a stronger implication of laziness or lack of productivity.

FAQs

What does "loitered there" mean?

"Loitered there" means to have lingered or stayed in a place, often in a public area, without any clear purpose or reason. It suggests a prolonged and somewhat aimless presence.

What are some alternatives to "loitered there"?

You can use alternatives such as "lingered there", "remained there", or "hung around there" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "loitered there" formal or informal?

"Loitered there" is neither strictly formal nor informal; it is generally considered neutral. However, avoid using it in very formal contexts where a more precise term might be preferred.

Can "loitered there" have negative connotations?

Yes, "loitered there" can sometimes have negative connotations, as it can imply suspicious or unwanted lingering, especially in contexts where such behavior is unwelcome or prohibited.