wait for test

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait for test" is not entirely correct in standard written English; it lacks an article or preposition.
You can use it in contexts where you are instructing someone to pause until a test is ready or completed, but it would be clearer with additional words. Example: "Please wait for the test results before making any decisions."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But if anthrax is suspected, the patient cannot wait for test results, so treatment is begun immediately.

The New York Times

The deputy anti-doping chief Zhao Jian said Leonard "thinks too much" and urged people to wait for test results.

The Guardian - Sport

The toll could grow as state health officials wait for test results on other deaths suspected of being part of the outbreak.

The New York Times

A Little Preparation, a Lot of Coping As patients wait for test results, anxiety rises as time slips into slow motion.

The New York Times

Ms. Krueger says it is too broadly drawn and could hurt victims by encouraging them to wait for test results for H.I.V. and other sexually transmitted diseases rather than take medication immediately.

The New York Times

In terms of direct clinical use of typing results, the picture emerging from our interviews is one of complex decision-making and limited flexibility to wait for test information when faced with a period of increased CDI incidence.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Sick people routinely have to wait for tests or for treatment.

The New York Times

Its report criticises the length of time people have to wait for testing and treatment usually around 10-12 days. 10-12 days

The Economist

This includes length of consultations, safety-netting practices (processes to ensure appropriate patient follow-up), availability and wait for tests and test results, availability of advice and speed of referral to first appointment.

BMC Family Practice

The doctors I interviewed for my article in this week's Science Times, "The Anxiety of Waiting for Test Results," spoke of the scripts they teach medical students to help prepare patients who are waiting for test results.

The New York Times

The police are still waiting for test results before classifying the case as a murder-suicide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to delay action, specify what action should be delayed until after the test results are received. For instance, "Wait for test results before making a decision."

Common error

Avoid using "wait for test" without specifying what decision or action is contingent on the test results. Provide the full context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for test" functions as an instruction or recommendation to delay action until the results of a test are available. It's often used in medical and technical contexts, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wait for test" is an acceptable, though not perfectly standard, phrase used to advise delaying action until test results are available. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase could benefit from additional words to improve clarity. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. While grammatically acceptable, using "wait for test results" is generally preferred for enhanced clarity. The phrase serves to instruct, recommend caution, or deferral pending the receipt of information, as illustrated in various Ludwig examples. Common usage errors include omitting context, where the action to be delayed is not explicitly specified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

await test results

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the anticipation of the results.

wait for testing to complete

This alternative clarifies that the waiting period extends until the entire testing process is finished.

hold off until test results

This suggests postponing action until the test results are available.

pause until the test is processed

This alternative emphasizes the processing aspect of the test.

delay until the test comes back

This phrase uses more informal language, suggesting a postponement until the test is completed and the results are known.

refrain until the test is analyzed

This emphasizes the analytical aspect of testing, implying a pause until analysis is complete.

postpone until the test is evaluated

Similar to 'refrain', but focuses on the evaluation stage of the test results.

bide time until test outcome

This is a more idiomatic way of expressing the waiting period, suggesting patience until the test outcome is known.

be patient until test conclusion

This alternative highlights the need for patience until the test is fully concluded.

hold steady until the examination result

Similar to the others, this phrase communicates a request to remain still until the examination result.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait for test" to instruct someone to delay an action until test results are available. For example, "We must "wait for test results" before proceeding".

What are some alternatives to "wait for test"?

Alternatives include "await test results", "wait for testing to complete", or "hold off until test results". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "wait for test results" or "wait for test"?

"Wait for test results" is generally preferred as it's grammatically clearer and more complete. "Wait for test" is acceptable in some contexts, but adding "results" enhances clarity.

When might I begin treatment immediately instead of "wait for test" results?

In cases of suspected anthrax or other rapidly progressing diseases, treatment should begin immediately, without "waiting for test results", to improve the patient’s chances of survival.