substantial waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable amount of time spent waiting for something or someone. Example: "Due to the unexpected delays, there was substantial waiting before the event could finally begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In my experience CAMHS is a service under immense pressure with substantial waiting times.

The Guardian

The school is state funded and non-selective, has a substantial waiting list for both primary and secondary, and most years has to turn away even local children.

The Guardian

Patients face substantial waiting times.

BMC Health Services Research

Despite the positive development, many patients still face substantial waiting times.

BMC Health Services Research

Our study was performed in small primary care practices which are typical for the German outpatient health care system, not possessing routine pathways for referral and networking and leading to substantial waiting time when referring to a specialist.

BMC Health Services Research

This is the case because even though the per-hour time cost is relatively low, sparse health and transportation infrastructures require travel over long distances and substantial waiting times at health facilities before receiving care.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The dicey quality of that last instalment might explain the substantial wait for their latest, but everything about The Rewrite looks promising.

The Guardian

The talented kitchen crew is hard-pressed to keep up with the descending hordes, sometimes resulting in substantial waits between courses.

The New York Times

Robert McCulloch, the county prosecutor, warned of a substantial wait before the jury would decide whether or not there was probable cause that a crime had been committed.

The Guardian

After that, there's another substantial wait for it to be considered for subsidisation under Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Vice

"I'm very well aware that in the short-term there are some very substantial projects waiting for this announcement, and I'm very confident that there will be some big investments announced in the very short-term.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial waiting", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for. For example, "substantial waiting for medical appointments" clarifies the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial waiting" for minor or insignificant delays. The phrase implies a significant and potentially problematic waiting time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial waiting" functions as a noun phrase where "substantial" modifies "waiting". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid in written English, frequently used to describe significant delays.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial waiting" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, primarily functioning as a noun phrase to denote a significant delay. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates it's often used to highlight noteworthy waiting periods. While "substantial waiting" appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a formal register suitable for diverse professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of a considerable delay. Consider alternative phrases like "considerable delay" or "significant waiting time" to best fit the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant waiting time

Direct synonym, replacing "substantial" with "significant".

considerable delay

Focuses on the delay itself being significant, rather than the act of waiting.

lengthy waiting period

Emphasizes the duration of the waiting time.

prolonged wait

Highlights the extended nature of the waiting.

protracted waiting time

Uses a more formal term, "protracted", to emphasize the length of the waiting.

extended delay

Similar to "considerable delay" but places greater emphasis on the timeline.

long period of waiting

Rephrases the concept with a slightly more descriptive approach.

appreciable wait

Emphasizes that the wait is noticeable or measurable.

notable delay

Highlights that the delay is worth mentioning or taking note of.

extended time on hold

More specific, implies waiting via telephone.

FAQs

What does "substantial waiting" mean?

The phrase "substantial waiting" refers to a significant or considerable amount of time spent waiting for something.

What can I say instead of "substantial waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "considerable delay", "lengthy waiting period", or "significant waiting time".

In what contexts is "substantial waiting" commonly used?

This phrase is often used in contexts relating to healthcare, services, or processes where delays are common, such as describing "lengthy waiting times for medical procedures".

Is "substantial waiting" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in both professional and academic contexts. It is suitable for describing factual situations without being overly casual.