patiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patiently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the manner in which someone is waiting or enduring a situation without becoming annoyed or anxious. Example: "She waited patiently for her turn to speak, even though the meeting was running late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They usually wait patiently for me to finish my spiel about why they and their colleagues should sweat their way through a Saturday morning to save some starving children in Africa.

The Guardian

And you wouldn't catch Indiana Jones stopping patiently at a red light when he's got an angry, steaming 2,000-megaton 2,000-megatonorry brearticulated his neck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My husband was first horrified, and is now patiently accepting of my periodic allegation that there are just too many instruments in the music he lives for.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

After he's patiently clarified the pronunciation ("How as in how you doing?

The Guardian - Film

"I don't want to personalise it but obviously I do regret that while my representations have been listened to patiently and courteously, they have not been heeded".

The Guardian

JW Come 1pm, it's normal to see hungry workers snake down Berwick Street in Soho, patiently waiting to buy lunch from one of the food stalls lining the road.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I doubt that very much," he began, as two bodyguards waited patiently at the gatepost, muttering to each other via their earpieces.

The Guardian

Those who had been patiently working for better race relations bitterly criticised that too.

The Guardian

You had to feel for the commander as he patiently fielded these polite but zingingly hostile questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

He patiently stalked Lee into corners and got the better of the exchanges, opening a small cut by Lee's left eye in the second.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are waiting patiently for the rescuers to safely try to find our parents," the Heil family said in the statement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patiently" to emphasize a calm and composed demeanor while waiting for a result or outcome, especially when the situation may be frustrating or require endurance. This showcases a virtue or controlled emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "patiently" when the waiting period is excessively long or indefinite, as it may imply an unrealistic or even absurd level of endurance. Instead, use adverbs that suggest acceptance or resignation, like "resignedly" or "stoically", to better reflect the emotional weight of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "patiently" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI examples show it describing how someone waits, listens, or works. It conveys a sense of calmness and composure while enduring a delay or challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "patiently" is a versatile term used to describe actions performed with calmness and composure, even amidst delays or challenges. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "patiently" also appears in formal business and scientific writings. When employing "patiently", ensure the context aligns with realistic expectations of endurance, avoiding overuse in scenarios involving excessively long or indefinite waiting periods. Remember, patience is a virtue, and "patiently" is the word to use when you want to showcase that virtue in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calmly

A simpler and more direct alternative, focusing on the absence of agitation.

with forbearance

Emphasizes tolerance and self-control in the face of delay or provocation; more formal.

without complaint

Focuses on the absence of negative expression while waiting.

without rushing

Focuses on avoiding haste or pressure in completing a task.

in a composed manner

Highlights the calmness and collectedness of the action.

unhurriedly

Emphasizes the lack of haste in the action.

with quiet perseverance

Stresses the persistent and calm approach to a task or situation.

with unruffled composure

Implies maintaining a calm and steady demeanor, even in challenging circumstances.

in a long-suffering way

Suggests enduring hardship or annoyance with patience and resignation; carries a stronger emotional connotation.

with stoicism

Implies enduring adversity without showing feelings or complaining.

FAQs

How can I use the word "patiently" in a sentence?

You can use "patiently" to describe how someone waits or endures a situation with calmness and without complaint. For example, "She waited "patiently" for her turn to speak." Another example: "The crowd listened "patiently" to the speaker's long explanation."

What are some alternatives to saying "patiently"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "patiently" include "calmly", "with forbearance", or "without complaint".

Is it correct to say someone is "patiently waiting"?

Yes, "patiently waiting" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. It emphasizes the manner in which someone is waiting – with patience and composure.

What's the difference between waiting "patiently" and waiting "eagerly"?

Waiting "patiently" implies a calm and composed state while waiting, even if the wait is long or challenging. Waiting "eagerly", on the other hand, suggests excitement and anticipation, with a strong desire for the awaited event or outcome to occur soon.