to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of remaining in a place or delaying action until a particular time or event occurs. Example: "I decided to wait for my friend before entering the restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— not ready to wait".

The New York Times

We're going to wait".

The New York Times

To wait or not?

The New Yorker

Families continue to wait.

The New York Times

You're welcome to wait.

The New Yorker

He'll have to wait.

The New York Times

"Tell them to wait".

The New York Times

I want to wait".

The New Yorker

"You're going to wait.

The New York Times - Sports

I prefer to wait.

Independent

I'm willing to wait".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to wait" to express a deliberate decision to delay action, anticipating a future event or change. For example, "I chose "to wait" for a better opportunity".

Common error

Avoid using "to wait on" when you mean "to wait for". "To wait on" means to serve someone, while "to wait for" means to await someone or something. For example, say "I'm going "to wait" for the bus", not "I'm going "to wait" on the bus".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to wait" primarily functions as a verb complement or infinitive of purpose. It modifies a verb, adjective, or noun to express an intended action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to wait" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate delaying an action or remaining in a certain state until something occurs. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans various contexts, including news, general conversation, and even some business settings. While its formality is generally neutral, it's crucial to differentiate between "to wait for" (awaiting something) and "to wait on" (serving someone). The phrase enjoys broad usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, making it a versatile and reliable component of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to hold on

Implies a temporary delay, often with a sense of anticipation or slight effort.

to hold off

Means to postpone or delay an action.

to bide one's time

Emphasizes waiting strategically for a favorable opportunity.

to defer

Suggests postponing to a later time, often formally.

to hold back

Indicates restraining oneself from acting immediately.

to suspend

To temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force or effect.

to tarry

Suggests a more leisurely or prolonged delay.

to remain

Simply indicates staying in a particular place or state until something happens.

to stay put

Suggests remaining in the same location, often for safety or instruction.

to linger

Implies a pleasant or reluctant delay, often in a specific location.

FAQs

How can I use "to wait" in a sentence?

You can use "to wait" in various contexts to indicate delaying an action or remaining in a place until something happens. For example, "I need "to wait" for the rain to stop" or "It's better "to wait" and see what happens".

What are some alternatives to "to wait"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to hold on", "to remain", or "to hold off" as alternatives to "to wait".

Is it ever incorrect to use "to wait"?

While "to wait" is generally correct, ensure you use the appropriate preposition. Use "to wait for" when awaiting something or someone, not "to wait on" unless you mean to serve someone. For instance, "I have "to wait for" the package" is correct.

What's the difference between "to wait" and "to await"?

"To wait" is a more common and versatile phrase, while "to await" is more formal and often implies a sense of anticipation or expectation. For example, you might "wait for" a bus, but you "await" a significant event.