made me wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'made me wait' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an experience in which someone caused you to wait. For example: "The long line at the post office made me wait for over an hour".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

She's already made me wait.

Independent

"My parents made me wait until I was 5".

The New York Times - Sports

That plus the fact that her mom sounded tired of giving interviews made me wait.

The New York Times

But for some reason they made me wait for hours and hours.

The New Yorker

Still, she clung to my arm and made me wait with her at the water's edge, studying wave sets and timing them, until we went running in.

The New Yorker

I arrived at the hotel for the interview and he made me wait an hour and a half in the lobby.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Why are you making me wait?

The New York Times

Or filibuster to make me wait for it!

The New Yorker

"The doctors keep making me wait for my heart operation.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Please don't make me wait until I'm 30 for this to pass".

Independent

REALLY cheap and you can tell, always makes me wait, and I can't get a word in edgewise.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made me wait", consider the context. Was the waiting intentional or unintentional? Choose a synonym if the nuance doesn't fit.

Common error

Avoid overusing "made me wait" in passive constructions. Instead of "I was made to wait", consider "They made me wait" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made me wait" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates that someone or something caused the speaker to experience a period of waiting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common construction used to describe a situation where one is kept waiting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made me wait" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe a situation where someone or something caused a delay. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to express frustration, report delays, or simply convey the experience of being kept waiting. While its register is generally neutral, context dictates whether it conveys a negative emotion. Consider the nuances of synonyms like "delayed me" or "held me up" to fine-tune your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed me

A more direct synonym, focusing on the action of postponing or holding someone back.

held me up

Suggests an obstruction or impediment that caused the delay, with a more negative connotation.

caused me to linger

Implies a more gentle or less intentional delay, suggesting a pleasant or unavoidable situation.

forced me to hang around

Focuses on the physical act of lingering in a place, often without a clear purpose or expectation.

kept me on hold

Specifically refers to being made to wait during a phone call, lacking the general applicability of the query.

postponed my progress

Highlights the impact of the delay on forward momentum, emphasizing the disruption rather than the waiting.

prolonged my anticipation

Emphasizes the mental state of anticipation rather than the act of waiting itself.

obliged me to tarry

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying 'made me wait', implying a sense of duty or politeness.

extended my stay

Refers to physically remaining in a place for a longer period of time, differing from waiting for something to happen.

put me on ice

An idiomatic expression suggesting that something has been temporarily suspended or shelved, rather than a direct waiting experience.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made me wait" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "delayed me", "obliged me to wait", or "required me to wait". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone "made me wait"?

While often negative, it depends on the context. It can be neutral if simply stating a fact. However, phrases like "held me up" often carry a more negative connotation.

What's a less direct way to say someone "made me wait"?

Phrases such as "I had to wait", or "circumstances required a delay" can soften the impact, especially if avoiding blame. You could also say "caused me to linger" depending on the context.

How do I emphasize my frustration when someone "made me wait"?

Use stronger verbs or adverbs to convey your feelings. For example, "They deliberately made me wait", or "They kept me waiting for hours". Be mindful of your audience.