probably waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a likelihood that someone is in a state of waiting for something or someone. Example: "She is probably waiting for her friend to arrive at the café."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Probably waiting for the right moment.

The Guardian - Arts

It was half past seven, and Earl was probably waiting for her.

The New Yorker

The family was probably waiting for Adik, who just as probably wasn't coming.

The New Yorker

Your mom is probably waiting for you to go back to school and finish up.

The New York Times

Like everyone else, Andersen's people are probably waiting to see what happens next, he said.

The New York Times

And Jack Nicholson was probably waiting for me behind a door - with an axe.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

That would probably wait for a trial.

The New York Times

He probably waited too long.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer to this last question, though, can probably wait.

The New York Times

"I would probably wait and visit that," Manuel said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We probably waited too long to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "probably waiting" when you want to express a reasonable degree of certainty that someone is in the process of waiting for an event or person. It's suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Common error

While "probably waiting" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more precise alternatives like "is expected to wait" or "is anticipated to wait" to convey a higher degree of professionalism and certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably waiting" functions as a descriptor indicating a state of likely anticipation. It modifies an implied subject, suggesting their current activity involves awaiting something or someone. Ludwig provides numerous examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably waiting" is a commonly used phrase that suggests a reasonable level of certainty about someone's current state of anticipation. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as a descriptive modifier, serving to inform or reassure about a likely situation. The phrase is considered grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "is expected to wait". As Ludwig confirms, "probably waiting" is a practical and acceptable phrase for expressing anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely waiting

Replaces "probably" with "likely", a synonym indicating a high probability.

most likely waiting

Adds emphasis using "most likely" to strengthen the probability.

presumably waiting

Uses "presumably" to suggest waiting based on assumption.

perhaps waiting

Employs "perhaps" to indicate a possibility, slightly less certain than "probably".

possibly waiting

Substitutes "probably" with "possibly", denoting a weaker likelihood.

expected to wait

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than probability.

anticipated to wait

Indicates a formal expectation of waiting.

assumed to be waiting

Implies that the waiting is an assumption, not a certainty.

thought to be waiting

Suggests the waiting is based on belief or opinion.

believed to be waiting

Highlights that the waiting is based on a held belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "probably waiting" to express a likely expectation that someone is in a state of waiting. For example, "She is probably waiting for the bus" or "They are probably waiting for the meeting to start".

What phrases are similar to "probably waiting"?

Similar phrases include "likely waiting", "most likely waiting", and "presumably waiting". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey regarding the certainty of the waiting.

Is it correct to say "probably wait" instead of "probably waiting"?

No, "probably wait" is grammatically different. "Probably waiting" implies a continuous action in the present, whereas "probably wait" would refer to a future action. The correct continuous form for the present is "probably waiting".

When should I use "likely waiting" instead of "probably waiting"?

Both "probably waiting" and "likely waiting" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Likely" might suggest a slightly stronger degree of certainty based on available evidence, while "probably" relies more on general experience or intuition.