wait for long

USAGE SUMMARY

'wait for long' is correct and usable in written English.
It implies a period of waiting, but the exact length of time is unspecified. For example, you could say "I had to wait for long before I got the answer I was looking for".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I did not have to wait for long.

Independent

He did not have to wait for long.

The Guardian - Sport

If they do, they may not have to wait for long.

The New York Times

Pigs from Canada endure icy temperatures as they wait for long periods at the US frontier.

The Guardian

The queue is endless and you need to wait for long hours.

The Guardian

I do not think we will have to wait for long.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Dust-covered tables wait for long-gone customers inside the Café Berlin, and a rusty sign hangs outside a beauty shop.

The New York Times

Although Dr. Atala has published on the technique, he said he reported none of the human cases until now because he wanted to wait for long-term results.

The New York Times - Health

"How much risk are you willing to take?" But Dr. Ronald Klatz of Chicago, the founder and director of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, says patients cannot wait for long-term studies, which are not even in planning stages and would take years or decades to complete.

The New York Times

It is rare to see anyone waiting for long, and I have never heard of someone waiting four days.

The Guardian

He's not likely to sit around waiting for long for someone else to make a decision".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wait for long", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "wait for long" when you should be using past or future tenses (e.g., "waited for a long time" or "will wait for a long time"). The bare infinitive form is often misused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for long" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a situation involving an extended period of waiting. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and usable phrase. It specifies the action of waiting and implies a significant duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait for long" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes enduring a considerable delay. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid English expression. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent occurrence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating versatility in application. While effective, consider alternative phrasing like "wait a long time" for greater explicitness. Be mindful of tense to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a long time

This alternative uses a more explicit noun phrase to quantify the waiting period.

wait for an extended period

This alternative emphasizes the length of the waiting period using the term "extended".

wait for a considerable time

This alternative suggests the waiting time is notably significant.

be kept waiting for a while

This alternative implies someone else is causing the wait, making it passive.

endure a lengthy delay

This alternative conveys a more negative connotation, emphasizing the unpleasantness of the delay.

remain in anticipation for a prolonged duration

This is a formal and elaborate way of describing a long wait.

hold on for an age

This is an informal and idiomatic expression indicating a very long wait.

tarry for an extensive duration

This alternative employs more archaic and formal vocabulary.

linger for a protracted interval

This option uses less common verbs to indicate waiting and emphasizes duration.

await for an indefinite span

This suggests the waiting period has an unknown or uncertain end.

FAQs

What does "wait for long" mean?

The phrase "wait for long" means to experience a considerable delay before something happens or becomes available.

How can I use "wait for long" in a sentence?

You can use "wait for long" to describe situations where there is an extended delay. For example, "Patients often have to "wait for long" hours at the clinic".

What's the difference between "wait for long" and "wait a long time"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "wait a long time" is more explicit and commonly used. "Wait for long" is slightly less direct but still conveys the idea of a significant delay.

What can I say instead of "wait for long"?

You can use alternatives like "wait a long time", "wait an extended period", or "be kept waiting for a while depending on the context.