presumably waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "presumably waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is likely or assumed to be true, particularly in the context of someone or something being in a state of waiting. Example: "The guests arrived late, and the host was presumably waiting for them to start the dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Much of the American media duly ignored the Slim story, presumably waiting for Forbes to move.

The Guardian - Business

Detectives searched the apartment and found two customers, presumably waiting to be flown to their next destination, and several plane tickets bearing the name "Lilly Zhang".

The New Yorker

It is Eros, not Aminta, who rescues Sylvia from Orion's cave, and when, upon her release, she finds Aminta again he is sitting on a swing, presumably waiting to see how things turn out.

The New Yorker

Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito's Government Operations Committee and State Senator Owen Johnson's Finance Committee have been sitting on this bill, presumably waiting for word from Mr. Silver and Mr. Bruno to release it.

The New York Times

After revitalising his career with 22 Dreams, Wake Up the Nation and Sonik Kicks – a trilogy containing the most adventurous music of his career – he is presumably waiting for his restless creative antennae to tell him where he's headed next.

The Guardian - Music

This may account for a pattern in many of the drone strikes: a drone hovers over an area for weeks on end before a strike takes place, presumably waiting until identities are confirmed and the targets can be struck without anyone else present.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If you've identified the ballots, you could, presumably, wait and do it at the contest phase.

The New York Times

This is the moment that Canada's prime minister Stephen Harper has presumably been waiting for.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of their owners presumably are waiting to go upscale as followers of the world-renowned dog behaviorist and buyers of his products.

The New York Times

The 50-year-old Keenan -- now a color commentator for the Ottawa Senators as well as a studio analyst on CTV Sports Net, the Canadian equivalent of ESPN -- will presumably be waiting by the phone.

The New York Times - Sports

Joseph Campbell -- whose highly influential hero ("The Hero With a Thousand Faces") is presumably still waiting for the lights to change on the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue -- is perhaps her central target.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "presumably waiting" when you want to convey an educated guess or logical inference about someone's state of waiting, based on available evidence or context. It adds a subtle layer of informed assumption to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "presumably waiting" when there's no clear basis for the presumption. Ensure your audience can logically follow why you're making that assumption; otherwise, opt for a more direct or descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presumably waiting" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner or circumstance in which an action is occurring. It adds a layer of assumption or inference to the description. Ludwig AI provides examples where it modifies verbs describing actions or states of being.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "presumably waiting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this, and shows that it conveys a sense of reasonable inference about a state of waiting. It finds its use across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific fields, but it's versatile enough for neutral communications. While alternatives like "assumably awaiting" or "likely anticipating" exist, "presumably waiting" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it a reliable choice for expressing informed assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumably awaiting

This alternative uses a less common synonym for 'presumably', lending a slightly more formal tone.

putatively anticipating

This phrase offers a similar meaning of presumed anticipation, with a slightly formal and nuanced tone.

supposedly expecting

This phrase implies that there might be some doubt about the expectation, which isn't necessarily present in the original phrase.

likely anticipating

This emphasizes the anticipation aspect more strongly than the original phrase.

apparently standing by

This suggests that the person is ready and prepared for something, adding a sense of readiness that isn't explicit in the original.

reputedly standing by

Implies the waiting is based on reputation or hearsay, making it less certain.

seemingly poised to wait

Emphasizes the impression or appearance of waiting, adding a layer of subjective observation.

ostensibly in waiting

This uses 'ostensibly' to suggest that the waiting might be for show, introducing an element of insincerity.

reportedly on hold

This phrase frames the waiting as something that has been reported or stated, but not necessarily verified.

allegedly remaining

This adds a legal or accusatory tone, suggesting that the waiting is part of a claim or allegation.

FAQs

How can I use "presumably waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "presumably waiting" to suggest that someone is likely in a state of waiting based on the available information. For example, "The doctor was late for the appointment, and the patient was "presumably waiting" in the lobby."

What are some alternatives to "presumably waiting"?

Alternatives include "likely waiting", "probably waiting", or "assumed to be waiting" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is "presumably waiting" the same as "actually waiting"?

No, "presumably waiting" implies an assumption or educated guess, while "actually waiting" indicates a known and confirmed fact. "Presumably waiting" suggests that you believe someone is waiting, but you might not have direct evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "presumably waiting" over other similar phrases?

Use "presumably waiting" when you want to convey a sense of logical deduction or inference, rather than a strong assertion. It's appropriate when you have reasons to believe someone is waiting, but you cannot confirm it directly.