wait for longer

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait for longer" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to continue waiting for a longer amount of time. Example: "I can't believe we have to wait for longer to see the doctor. Our appointment was supposed to be at 2pm and it's already 3pm!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He bides his time; indeed he is prepared to wait for longer than any batsman in the tournament to open his shoulders.

The Guardian - Sport

She was made to wait for longer than expected after Canada's Yuki Tsubota suffered a nasty looking fall just before her run.

The Guardian - Sport

Adrian Gill, director of Your Move, said: "The UK's vote to leave the EU has not caused any immediate change in the rental market, although we must wait for longer term trends to develop.

The Guardian - Money

"If wage increases are expected but productivity is performing well we can wait for longer; if those wage increases are not accompanied by productivity increases then I think we will have to move more quickly on rates because inflationary pressures will build up.

The Guardian - Business

"While we understand that in some cases it is necessary for patients to wait for longer than four hours for admission, in particular during times of increased pressure on the system, it is concerning for all of us to see such a steep increase recently in the number of patients waiting between four and 12 hours and the risk to patients resulting from such long waits.

The Guardian

This is because at nonsaturation condition a node has to wait for longer contention time compared to other CW values.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Low-Dye taping could be used as an inexpensive short-term treatment for plantar heel pain while patients wait for longer-term treatments, such as foot orthoses.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Wait for longer-term housing.

WikiHow

What are your thoughts about waiting for longer perspective on grief before writing it?

The New Yorker

She waited for longer than he'd said, for ages it felt like, but when he came back he was hurrying, as if making up for that.

The New Yorker

Disabled people, families, carers and welfare advisers in touch with my office say people are still waiting for longer than 16 weeks".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wait for longer", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for and why the extended wait is necessary. Clarity is key to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "wait for longer" without specifying a reference point or comparison. It's better to say "wait for a longer time" or "wait longer than expected" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for longer" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express the continuation of an action (waiting) over an extended duration. It is often used to describe situations where the expected waiting time is prolonged.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait for longer" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an extended period of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples across different contexts. Although relatively uncommon, the phrase is generally found in news, scientific, and wiki sources. When using "wait for longer", it's essential to provide clear context to what is being waited for and why the extended duration is relevant. While grammatically correct, it is important to note that in certain situations, shorter alternatives such as "wait longer", may be preferred for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a longer period

Rephrases the duration of the wait.

increase waiting time

Directly refers to making the waiting period longer.

extend the delay

Highlights the act of making the delay longer.

prolong the wait

Focuses on extending the duration of waiting.

hold off longer

Implies postponing something for a more extended time.

delay anticipation

Emphasizes delaying the feeling of anticipation.

defer for longer

Similar to postpone, but emphasizes a formal delay.

suspend for longer

Highlights the interruption or suspension of something for a longer duration.

remain in anticipation longer

Emphasizes the state of anticipation and its duration.

endure a longer wait

Focuses on the act of tolerating a more extended waiting period.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait for longer" to indicate an extended period of anticipation, such as, "Patients may have to wait for longer to see a specialist."

What's a more formal way to say "wait for longer"?

A more formal alternative to "wait for longer" might be to "extend the waiting period" or "prolong the wait", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "wait for longer" and "wait longer"?

"Wait longer" is a more concise way of saying "wait for a longer time". "Wait for longer" is grammatically correct but can sometimes sound less natural than "wait longer". For example: "You might have to wait longer than anticipated" is more natural than "You might have to wait for longer than anticipated".

Are there situations where I should avoid using "wait for longer"?

While grammatically sound, "wait for longer" can sometimes sound awkward. Consider using alternatives like "wait longer" or rephrasing to improve clarity and flow, especially in formal writing.