makes me wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes me wait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing frustration or annoyance about having to wait for someone or something. Example: "The constant delays in the project makes me wait longer than I anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

And yet, my own primary-care doctor, who accepts many insurance plans, never makes me wait, and never rushes me either.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Why are you making me wait?

The New York Times

She's already made me wait.

Independent

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

"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

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

Independent

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

The New Yorker

"You make me wait two, three days, why now half an hour?" the informant yelled at Fernando.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes me wait", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the reason for the delay and your emotional response. Is it due to inefficiency, disrespect, or unavoidable circumstances?

Common error

While "makes me wait" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound overly informal or accusatory. In formal situations, consider alternatives such as "caused a delay" or "required additional time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes me wait" functions as a causative verb phrase. It describes an action (waiting) that is caused by someone or something else. As shown in Ludwig, this construction clearly conveys the reason for a delay or period of waiting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes me wait" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that someone or something is causing a delay. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience. For formal writing or technical contexts, opting for more precise alternatives might be preferable. However, in general communication, "makes me wait" effectively conveys frustration or impatience with a delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extends my waiting time

Directly refers to the increase in the duration of waiting.

causes a delay for me

Focuses on the act of delaying specifically affecting the speaker.

holds me up

Emphasizes the obstruction or hindrance caused by the waiting.

delays my progress

Focuses on the impediment to forward movement or action.

requires my patience

Stresses the need to exercise patience due to the delay.

forces me to tarry

Uses more formal language to indicate being compelled to wait.

postpones my schedule

Indicates a deferral of planned activities.

keeps me lingering

Highlights the extended time spent waiting.

makes me kick my heels

Idiomatic way of expressing enforced idleness and waiting.

has me twiddling my thumbs

Another idiomatic expression for waiting idly.

FAQs

What does "makes me wait" mean?

The phrase "makes me wait" implies that someone or something is causing you to experience a delay or to remain in a state of waiting.

What can I say instead of "makes me wait"?

You can use alternatives like "causes me to wait", "delays me", or "holds me up" depending on the context.

Is "makes me wait" grammatically correct?

Yes, "makes me wait" is grammatically correct. The verb "makes" agrees with a singular third-person subject (even if implied), and "me wait" functions as an object and infinitive clause.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "makes me wait"?

It is appropriate to use "makes me wait" when you want to express that someone or something is causing you to be delayed. This can be in a casual conversation, email, or more formal writing where a direct and clear statement is needed.