wait a bit longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait a bit longer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to take a little extra time before completing an action or making a decision. For example, "I need to think about it a bit more - can you wait a bit longer before you give me an answer?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

"I'll wait," he said, "and then I'll wait a bit longer.

Independent

For the name, we will have to wait a bit longer.

Independent

Amazon users outside of Seattle might need to wait a bit longer to get the service.

Independent

It appears they will have to wait a bit longer for it.

The Economist

I needed to wait a bit longer before returning to the booth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, he said, it is better to wait a bit longer.

The New York Times

So, I'll wait a bit longer, and then I will go.

The New York Times

Bowden and the Seminoles, Stoops and the Sooners can wait a bit longer.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a bit longer" to politely request a delay or express that something will not happen immediately. It softens the impact of bad news or requests for patience.

Common error

Avoid using "wait a bit longer" in very formal or business communication. Opt for more professional phrases like "delay until further notice" or "require additional time" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a bit longer" primarily functions as a request or suggestion to delay an action or decision. It is typically used to ask for patience or to indicate that something will take slightly more time than expected, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait a bit longer" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to politely request a delay or indicate a slight postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While suitable for most everyday communication, it may be preferable to use more formal alternatives in professional or scientific contexts. Related phrases such as ""hold on a little longer"" or ""delay a little longer"" can offer subtle variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a little longer

Replaces "wait" with "hold on", implying a temporary pause.

delay a little longer

Substitutes "wait" with "delay", emphasizing the act of postponing.

postpone for a while

Uses "postpone" and "for a while" to suggest a temporary rescheduling.

put it off for a short time

Replaces "wait" with "put it off", indicating a deferral to a later time.

defer until later

Uses "defer" to formally suggest delaying something until a later time.

take a rain check

Employs an idiomatic expression for postponing an event or decision.

allow more time

Indicates granting additional time before something occurs.

extend the deadline

Implies pushing the final date for something further into the future.

sit tight for now

An informal expression suggesting to remain patient and wait.

exercise patience

Advocates for being patient and waiting for a more opportune moment.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait a bit longer" to politely suggest a delay, such as, "We'll need to "wait a bit longer" for the final results" or "Could you "wait a bit longer" before making a decision?"

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

Alternatives include "hold on a little longer", "delay a little longer", or "postpone for a while", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "wait a bit longer" in professional emails?

While acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives in professional emails, such as "We require additional time" or "The process will be slightly delayed". Using phrases like "delay until later" can also convey a professional tone.

What's the difference between "wait a bit longer" and "wait a little longer"?

The phrases "wait a bit longer" and "wait a little longer" are practically interchangeable. Both express a request for a short delay and have a similar level of formality. There is no significant difference in their usage or meaning.