lots of waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a significant amount of time spent waiting for something or someone. Example: "The train was delayed, resulting in lots of waiting at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Ceremonies were frequent but humdrum with lots of waiting.

The Guardian

Surfing involves lots of waiting around and nerdy discussions of equipment.

The Economist

Those three days brought a CAT scan, a 24-hour EEG, an M.R.I. and lots of waiting.

The New York Times

Whales don't perform to a schedule so expect lots of waiting around and, potentially, a fruitless voyage.

The Guardian - Travel

Expect long hours and lots of waiting around - but it'll all be worth it when you tell your friends you starred in a Bollywood movie.

The Guardian - Travel

There was lots of waiting around — Mr. Kinzel and Mr. Swinston shared M&M's, looking almost interested in their colleagues' actions — and high silliness as well, as when Ms. Maywald sped along the brick wall, flapping her arms melodramatically.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A lot of waiting around".

The New Yorker

"But mostly, there was a lot of waiting".

The New York Times

"There's a lot of waiting around," he said.

The New York Times

"We've done a lot of waiting," Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times

For others, there is a lot of waiting around.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lots of waiting", consider the context and whether a more specific term, such as "delay" or "hold-up", would be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

While "lots of waiting" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "a significant delay" or "extensive waiting period" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of waiting" functions as a noun phrase, where "lots of" acts as a determiner quantifying the noun "waiting". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a situation characterized by prolonged periods of inactivity while awaiting something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lots of waiting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe situations involving significant waiting time. While perfectly correct, according to Ludwig AI, its informal tone may not always be suitable for formal or professional contexts where alternatives like "extensive waiting" or "significant delay" could provide a more polished impression. Predominantly used in News & Media and Academia, consider your specific writing purpose before using this phrase. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employ the term, reinforcing its acceptability in general English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long wait

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

much waiting

Replaces "lots of" with "much", slightly more formal.

a great deal of waiting

Emphasizes the quantity of waiting, more emphatic.

considerable waiting time

Focuses on the time spent, more formal and specific.

extensive waiting

Highlights the length and thoroughness of the waiting period.

prolonged waiting

Emphasizes the duration of the wait.

appreciable waiting

Indicates a noticeable amount of waiting.

waiting extensively

Changes the structure to focus on the action of waiting.

significant delay

Shifts the focus to the delay caused by waiting.

protracted delay

Highlights the extended nature of the delay.

FAQs

What does "lots of waiting" mean?

The phrase "lots of waiting" refers to a situation where a significant amount of time is spent waiting for something to happen or for someone to arrive.

How can I use "lots of waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "lots of waiting" to describe a situation, such as "The airport involved "a great deal of waiting" due to the flight delays."

What can I say instead of "lots of waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "a long wait", "considerable waiting time", or "significant delay" depending on the context.

Is "lots of waiting" formal or informal?

The phrase "lots of waiting" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "extensive waiting" or "prolonged delay".