may wait for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may wait for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has the option to wait for something or someone. Example: "You may wait for the next bus if you prefer not to take a taxi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I may wait for the 2008s.

The New York Times

They may wait for another year or two.

The New York Times

Operations on the same directory may wait for one another.

Stanford University

Some customers may wait for G.M. to resume full production.

The New York Times

The Obama administration may wait for the initial W.T.O.

The New York Times

Or they may wait for a ruling against same-sex marriage from an appellate court.

The New Yorker

That is, a process may wait for any given child at most once.

Stanford University

Adults may wait for a host for as long as three years.

Britannica

After the decision, Republicans triumphantly heralded its imminent doom.They may wait for some time.

The Economist

The UN may wait for its cheque for quite some time.

The Economist

"We may wait for 10 years for something and nothing happens, but still we keep on waiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may wait for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being waited for, whether it's an event, a person, or a condition. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying who or what "may wait for". Without clear context, the sentence can become confusing. For example, instead of saying "They may wait for", specify "Customers may wait for" or "The company may wait for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may wait for" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or option to delay an action or decision until a later time or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may wait for" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of delaying an action or decision pending future events. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears across diverse sources like news, academia, and science. When using "may wait for", ensure the subject and the object of waiting are clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "might await" or "could hold off for" to fine-tune the tone and emphasis. Remember, while widely accepted, clarity and context are essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might await

Offers a slightly more formal or literary tone than "may wait for".

could hold off for

Emphasizes delaying action or decision until something happens or is available.

might delay for

Highlights the postponement aspect of waiting.

may postpone until

Focuses on rescheduling an action to a later time.

might defer to

Suggests yielding to a later time or event before acting.

could anticipate

Implies expecting and preparing for something in the future.

may tarry until

Conveys a sense of lingering or delaying until a specific time.

might stall until

Indicates deliberately delaying progress until a certain condition is met.

may bide one's time for

Suggests waiting patiently for an opportune moment.

could hold back until

Emphasizes restraint and delaying action until a later point.

FAQs

How can I use "may wait for" in a sentence?

The phrase "may wait for" indicates a possibility or option of waiting for something or someone. For example, "The company "may wait for" the final results before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "may wait for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "might await", "could hold off for", or "may postpone until".

Is "may wait for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may wait for" is grammatically correct. "May" is a modal verb indicating possibility, and "wait for" is a verb phrase indicating the action of waiting.

What is the difference between "may wait for" and "will wait for"?

"May wait for" indicates a possibility or option, while "will wait for" indicates a definite intention to wait. The first expresses uncertainty, the second expresses certainty.