ready and waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ready and waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is fully prepared and available for action or to receive someone. Example: "The team is ready and waiting for the client's arrival to start the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are ready and waiting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rubio was ready and waiting.

The Guardian

Yulia had the borshch ready and waiting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The barn is ready and waiting.

The New York Times

You're ready and waiting for the pyrotechnics.

The New York Times - Arts

The sausage, however, is ready and waiting.

The Guardian - Travel

And Europe is ready and waiting.

The Guardian

Home, it seems, was ready and waiting for them.

The Guardian - Music

Then, when the client arrives, their intake data will be ready and waiting.

Stanford University

A welcome guard was ready and waiting but was never used.

Independent

Mr. Grisham leaves Jake ready and waiting to be seen again.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready and waiting" to emphasize both the completion of preparations and the immediate availability of a person or thing. This phrase is suitable when conveying a sense of anticipation or eagerness.

Common error

While "ready and waiting" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents or professional communications where a more precise or sophisticated alternative might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "prepared and available" or "fully equipped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready and waiting" functions as an adjectival phrase, describing a state of preparedness and anticipation. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns to indicate that something or someone is fully prepared and available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ready and waiting" is a commonly used adjectival phrase indicating a state of complete preparedness and anticipation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While suitable for general communication, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "prepared and available" in highly professional settings. The analysis emphasizes its role in conveying assurance and preparedness, ensuring clarity and effectiveness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available and prepared

This phrase explicitly states both availability and preparation, providing a formal alternative.

primed and ready

This alternative underlines both the preparation and eagerness to start or engage.

all set

This alternative conveys a state of complete preparation, omitting the element of anticipation.

all systems go

Conveys that everything is in place and ready for action or launch.

at the ready

This alternative suggests a state of alert preparedness, implying potential action.

fully prepared

This phrase emphasizes the completeness of preparation, lacking the sense of immediate availability.

standing by

Suggests a state of readiness to respond or assist, often used in professional contexts.

waiting in the wings

This idiom implies being prepared and available to take over or step in when needed.

eagerly awaiting

Highlights the enthusiasm and anticipation while slightly diminishing the sense of readiness.

in anticipation

This emphasizes the expectation of something happening soon, downplaying the readiness aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "ready and waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "ready and waiting" to describe someone or something that is fully prepared and available, like: "The team is "ready and waiting" for the client's feedback" or "The new software is "ready and waiting" to be installed".

What are some alternatives to "ready and waiting"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "prepared and available", "at the ready", or "standing by".

Is "ready and waiting" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "ready and waiting" might be considered informal in some highly formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "fully prepared" or "available and prepared" in such cases.

What does "ready and waiting" imply?

The phrase "ready and waiting" implies a state of complete preparation combined with anticipation or availability for immediate action or use. It suggests that everything is in place and nothing further needs to be done.