wait a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to take a short pause before continuing or doing something. For example, "I need a few minutes to think--wait a bit, please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wait! Be patient and wait a bit.

WikiHow

He would wait a bit.

The New Yorker

Avery will have to wait a bit.

The New York Times - Sports

That will have to wait a bit.

The New York Times

Latin Americans will have to wait a bit longer.

The New York Times

It may have to wait a bit longer.

The Economist

He will have to wait a bit longer.

The Economist

"If you don't like what you see, wait a bit".

The New York Times

It's just that we're going to wait a bit".

The New York Times - Health

The short drive home will have to wait a bit.

The New York Times - Travel

Perhaps you might wait a bit with that, he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a bit" to politely request a short pause, especially when you need time to think or prepare. For example, "Before you answer, wait a bit so you can consider all options."

Common error

Avoid using "wait a bit" in very formal or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "Please allow me a moment" or "Kindly hold on" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a bit" functions as an imperative, urging a temporary suspension of action or speech. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and commonly used expression. Many examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait a bit" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to request a brief pause. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for informal to neutral contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "hold on a moment" or "pause briefly". Remember to use "wait a bit" judiciously, opting for more formal language when the situation demands it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a moment

Emphasizes a very brief pause, often used to ask someone to stop or delay an action.

pause briefly

Suggests a short interruption in an activity or conversation.

delay momentarily

Indicates a slight postponement, usually for a specific purpose.

take a breather

Implies a short rest or break, often to recover or think.

cool your heels

An idiomatic expression suggesting to wait patiently, often in anticipation.

hold your horses

An idiomatic expression used to tell someone to slow down or wait.

tarry a while

Suggests lingering or remaining in a place or situation for a short time.

hang fire

An idiomatic expression meaning to delay action on something.

suspend briefly

Indicates a temporary cessation or interruption of an activity.

rest a second

Suggests a brief period of inactivity or relaxation.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait a bit" to ask someone to pause briefly. For instance, "Before you start, "wait a bit" so I can get my notes ready."

What are some alternatives to saying "wait a bit"?

Instead of "wait a bit", you could say "hold on a moment", "pause briefly", or "delay momentarily", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "wait a bit"?

Yes, "wait a bit" is grammatically correct and commonly used in informal and semi-formal contexts. However, it might be too casual for very formal situations.

When is it appropriate to use "wait a bit"?

It's appropriate to use "wait a bit" in casual conversations, informal emails, or when giving instructions to someone where a brief pause is needed. Avoid using it in formal presentations or official documents where a more professional tone is required.