wait a little longer

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait a little longer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you are encouraging someone to remain patient, as in this example sentence: "I know you're eager to hear the results, but please wait a little longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some want to wait a little longer.

The New York Times

Why couldn't Westinghouse wait a little longer?

Harvard Business Review

Why not wait a little longer?

The Guardian

Karzai would like to wait a little longer.

The New Yorker

Even better, to avoid inevitable problems, wait a little longer.

The New York Times - Science

Corbett had to wait a little longer for his treats.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can wait a little longer, can't we?

The Guardian

The college may be able to wait a little longer.

The Guardian

"We need to wait a little longer," he said.

The New York Times

He'd wait a little longer, a little longer..

The Guardian - Books

It would have been better to wait a little longer".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a little longer" when you want to soften a request for patience. For example, instead of saying "You must wait", try "Please wait a little longer" to sound more considerate.

Common error

Avoid using "wait a little longer" repeatedly in a short span. It can sound repetitive and diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "hold off a while longer" or "give it more time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a little longer" primarily functions as an imperative request or suggestion, encouraging someone to remain patient. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait a little longer" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to encourage patience and request a temporary delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile and appropriate for a range of contexts, although it's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, consider varying the phrase with synonyms to avoid repetition and tailor the tone to your specific audience. Keep in mind that while the phrase is generally well-received, overuse can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it more time

Encourages allowing additional time before taking action, shifting the focus to the time needed.

hold off a while longer

Suggests postponing something for a certain period, maintaining the sense of anticipation.

sit tight a little longer

Informally advises remaining patient and waiting.

delay a bit more

Emphasizes delaying an action with a slightly different choice of words.

bear with it a little longer

Suggests enduring a situation patiently for a bit more time.

postpone it some more

Highlights the act of delaying with a focus on the action being postponed.

allow a further delay

Emphasizes permitting an extension of time before something happens.

defer it a bit further

Formally suggests putting something off until a later time.

exercise more patience

Focuses on the act of being patient, encouraging one to wait calmly.

show further restraint

Implies controlling oneself and delaying action.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "wait a little longer"?

You can soften the request by saying "Could you "give it more time", please?" or "Would you mind "holding off a while longer"?"

What does it mean to "wait a little longer"?

It means to be patient and delay an action or decision for a short amount of time, typically because something is not yet ready or the timing isn't right.

Is there a more formal way to say "wait a little longer"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "Kindly "defer it a bit further"" or "Please "allow a further delay"" in more formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "wait a little longer"?

It's appropriate when you need someone to be patient and delay an action or decision, such as when waiting for results, for something to be completed, or for a better opportunity.