she couldn't wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"she couldn't wait" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's impatience or eagerness for something to happen or for the start of an event. Example: She couldn't wait to open her birthday presents and see what surprises awaited her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She couldn't wait to picket Ground Zero.

The New Yorker

She couldn't wait to leave.

The New York Times

She couldn't wait another day.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She couldn't wait," he said.

The New York Times

She couldn't wait to talk again.

The New York Times

She couldn't wait to do it again.

The Guardian

She couldn't wait to make big paintings of her own.

The New Yorker

Then she couldn't wait to have them sent away".

The Guardian

She couldn't wait to sleep in an upper.

The New Yorker

"Before, she couldn't wait to get to work.

The Guardian

But Hobbs suddenly decided she couldn't wait until Peel's return.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she couldn't wait" to effectively convey a character's eagerness or impatience for an event or action. It adds immediacy to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "she couldn't wait" when a more neutral expression of anticipation is appropriate. The phrase implies a strong emotional investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she couldn't wait" functions as a verb phrase expressing eagerness and anticipation. It indicates a strong desire or impatience for something to happen, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she couldn't wait" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey eagerness and impatience. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively portrays a character's anticipation in various narratives. Primarily found in News & Media, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts. Alternative expressions include "she was eager" or "she anticipated", though these may lack the specific nuance of restrained impatience. A key writing tip is to ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the context. Avoid using similar expressions that create double negatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was impatient to

Directly expresses impatience, but requires completion with a verb.

she was very eager

Expresses strong enthusiasm, but lacks the implication of restrained impatience.

she was extremely excited

Focuses on the emotional state of excitement, possibly without the aspect of anticipation.

she looked forward to it

A more general expression of anticipation, potentially lacking the urgency of "she couldn't wait".

she eagerly awaited

A formal way to convey anticipation and eagerness.

she anticipated with pleasure

Highlights anticipation and positive feelings, more formal than "she couldn't wait".

she was dying to

Implies an extreme level of eagerness, possibly more dramatic than "she couldn't wait".

she was itching to

An informal way to express eagerness and impatience.

she was all anticipation

Focuses on the state of anticipation without necessarily indicating impatience.

she was on tenterhooks

Highlights the anxiety of waiting, which is not directly conveyed by "she couldn't wait".

FAQs

How can I use "she couldn't wait" in a sentence?

Use "she couldn't wait" to express a character's eagerness or impatience for something. For example, "She couldn't wait to see her family after being away for so long."

What can I say instead of "she couldn't wait"?

You can use alternatives like "she was eager", "she anticipated", or "she looked forward to it depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "she couldn't wait"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that someone is very excited and impatient about something that is about to happen. The phrase adds an emotional element to the situation.

Is "she couldn't hardly wait" grammatically correct?

No, "she couldn't hardly wait" is a double negative and grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "she could hardly wait" or "she couldn't wait".