stood waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood waiting" is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a person who is in a stationary position, implying that the person has been standing and waiting for something or someone. For example: "Jenny stood waiting for her ride at the front entrance of the school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ahmed stood waiting for me.

The New York Times

Cynthia Henderson stood waiting with her teenage daughter.

The Economist

In front of him, Sergio stood waiting.

The Guardian - Sport

Wherever you looked, women stood waiting.

The Guardian

James stood waiting, exultation seizing him.

The New Yorker

Nigel stood waiting for me at his doorway.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tony stood waiting for me in the lobby.

The New Yorker

Enormous bins of lava stone stood waiting to be poured into the bottoms of the pools.

The New Yorker

With no bus shelter there, her children stood waiting under umbrellas.

The New York Times

So will the wings, on which passengers stood waiting for help as millions watched on television.

The New York Times

Stretchers and hospital staff stood waiting as the rescue operation continued at the site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stood waiting" to clearly depict someone in a stationary, upright position anticipating something. It combines posture and action for a vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using "stood waiting" when the context already implies waiting in a standing position. For instance, instead of "He stood waiting at the bus stop, looking anxious", simply say "He waited at the bus stop, looking anxious" if the context suggests he was standing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood waiting" functions primarily as a compound verb phrase, combining a verb of posture ("stood") with a verb of action ("waiting"). It depicts a state of being while simultaneously indicating anticipation or expectation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stood waiting" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase, primarily found in journalistic and general writing as Ludwig highlights. It effectively combines the physical posture of standing with the action of waiting, creating a clear image of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance. When using "stood waiting", ensure the standing aspect adds meaningful detail and isn't merely redundant. Consider alternatives like "waited while standing" or "was standing by in anticipation" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waited while standing

Emphasizes the act of waiting while in a standing position; slightly more descriptive.

remained standing as they waited

Highlights both the remaining upright and the act of waiting, offering a more detailed depiction.

was standing by in anticipation

Adds a sense of anticipation or readiness to the act of waiting.

patiently stood by

Implies patience and endurance while waiting.

stood in readiness

Focuses on the preparedness aspect of standing and waiting, implying a state of alert.

stood at the ready

Similar to 'stood in readiness', but with a stronger emphasis on immediate availability.

waited on their feet

Highlights the physical aspect of waiting while standing, potentially implying discomfort or restlessness.

were standing sentinel

Suggests a guarding or watchful role while waiting.

halted and waited

Indicates a stop followed by a period of waiting, emphasizing the pause.

stood in expectation

Emphasizes the feeling of expectancy while waiting.

FAQs

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

You can use "stood waiting" to describe someone who is in a stationary, upright position while anticipating something. For example: "The students "stood waiting" for the school bus to arrive."

What can I say instead of "stood waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "waited while standing", "remained standing as they waited", or "was standing by in anticipation" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "stood waiting"?

While it's not grammatically incorrect, using "stood waiting" can be redundant if the context already implies a standing position. Consider whether "waiting" alone is sufficient, or if emphasizing the standing posture adds valuable information.

What's the difference between "stood waiting" and "sat waiting"?

"Stood waiting" implies the person was in an upright position while waiting, whereas "sat waiting" implies the person was seated. The choice depends on the actual posture of the person and the image you want to create.