really waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the act of waiting, often conveying a sense of impatience or intensity regarding the waiting period. Example: "I am really waiting for the results of my application; it's been weeks since I submitted it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"People are really waiting to see," she said.

The New York Times

I'm really waiting for him to get out every ball.

The Guardian - Sport

"It dawned on me over time that he was really waiting to hear from Princeton".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're really waiting for the outcome of the police investigation into Railtrack's involvement," said Ms Christian.

The Guardian

I'm really waiting for my brother to call and tell me they are OK.

The Guardian

"I get the feeling that the airline industry is really waiting for my generation to die," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

They really waited for the right moment.

The Guardian

It's all he ever really waited for.

The New Yorker

Jackson, Turner and Redman are all examples of owners getting antsy for a running back when they should really wait it out.

The New York Times

So should that message you got at 5.30pm really wait till morning for a reply?

The Guardian - Tech

Must they really wait decades to see whether their financial planner was right?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really waiting" to emphasize the intensity or duration of the waiting period, especially when the outcome is significant or uncertain. For example, "We are "really waiting" for the final results of the election."

Common error

Avoid using "really waiting" in every sentence where waiting is involved. Overuse can dilute the impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "eagerly awaiting" or "anxiously awaiting" to maintain a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really waiting" functions as an adverb-modified verb phrase, emphasizing the action of waiting. It intensifies the verb, indicating a heightened state of anticipation or expectation. As seen in Ludwig, this construction is commonly used to convey a strong feeling of anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

4%

Less common in

Vice

2%

Forbes

0.4%

BBC

0.4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really waiting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a heightened sense of anticipation or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously to avoid overuse and maintain the impact of your writing. Consider alternative phrases like "eagerly anticipating" or "anxiously awaiting" to add nuance and variety to your expression. The phrase is suitable for neutral to informal registers, but in very formal contexts, more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerly anticipating

Implies a strong desire and excitement about something that is expected to happen.

anticipating with bated breath

Implies a state of high excitement and suspense.

anxiously awaiting

Highlights the worry or nervousness associated with waiting.

awaiting with anticipation

Similar to "eagerly anticipating" but slightly more formal.

patiently waiting

Emphasizes the calm and composed nature of the waiting.

awaiting expectantly

Highlights the hopeful nature of the waiting.

keenly expecting

Suggests a strong interest and expectation.

watching for

Focuses on the act of observing and being ready for something to happen.

earnestly hoping for

Conveys a sincere and heartfelt desire.

keeping an eye out for

Similar to "watching for", but suggests a more proactive approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "really waiting" to emphasize the intensity of your anticipation. For example: "I am "really waiting" for my brother to call and tell me they are OK."

What are some alternatives to "really waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerly waiting", "anxiously awaiting", or "patiently waiting" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "really waiting" instead of just "waiting"?

Use "really waiting" when you want to emphasize the significance or emotional investment in the waiting period. It adds a layer of intensity to the simple act of waiting.

Is "really waiting" considered formal or informal language?

"Really waiting" is generally considered neutral and acceptable in most contexts, though it may lean towards informal in very formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "earnestly anticipating".