stand by for

USAGE SUMMARY

"stand by for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be prepared or ready for something, often used in the context of waiting for an event or instruction. Example: Stand by for the final decision from the judges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

STAND by for generic Viagra.

The Economist

"Stand by for rain," he shouted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Stand by for the rush in 2003.

The Economist

Stand by for a lot more action.

The Economist

Stand by for dramas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stand by for blasting?

The Guardian

Stand by for another showdown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stand by for a tiebreak.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Let's put the cataclysmic things on stand-by for now.

The Guardian - Music

Supposedly, several countries have troops on stand-by for such emergencies.

The Economist

Stand-by for results.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand by for" when you want to create a sense of anticipation or inform your audience to be prepared for something imminent. It's effective for announcements, updates, or instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "stand by for" to literally mean physically standing by something. This phrase is primarily used to indicate a state of readiness or anticipation, not physical proximity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stand by for" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as an imperative to prepare or wait for an upcoming event or information. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase introduces an expected announcement or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Sport

20%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Business

7%

Music

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stand by for" is a versatile and common phrasal verb that effectively signals anticipation and readiness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage in news and media, as well as in sports contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to various situations to create a sense of expectation. Alternatives like "prepare for" or "be ready for" can be used, depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use it to indicate anticipation, not a literal physical action, to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare for

Indicates readiness for an upcoming event or situation. Changes the focus to active preparation.

be ready for

Emphasizes the state of being prepared. Implies a more immediate expectation.

get ready for

Similar to "prepare for" but often used in a more informal context.

be prepared for

Similar to "be ready for", but emphasizes a more thorough preparation.

await

Suggests a more passive waiting. Lacks the active preparation aspect.

look out for

Implies vigilance in anticipation. Suggests potential surprises or dangers.

keep an eye out for

Highlights the need to be watchful and observant.

expect

Focuses on anticipation of something likely to happen. Less about immediate action.

anticipate

A more formal way of saying expect, focusing on foreseeing something.

brace yourself for

Suggests preparing for something potentially unpleasant or difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "stand by for" in a sentence?

"Stand by for" is typically used to signal that something is about to happen or that more information is coming. For example, "Stand by for the announcement of the winner" or "Stand by for further instructions".

What does "stand by for" mean?

It means to be prepared or ready for something, often an event, announcement, or instruction. It's a way to alert someone to expect something soon.

What can I say instead of "stand by for"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare for", "be ready for", or "expect" depending on the context.

Is "stand by for" formal or informal?

"Stand by for" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for news broadcasts, official announcements, and professional communications, but can also be used in informal settings to create a sense of anticipation.