wait to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is waiting for something or someone to happen. Example: "I will have to wait to be picked up by my friend at the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Don't just wait to be beaten".

Independent

I'd wait to be prompted.

The New Yorker

"I can't wait to be there again".

Independent

I can't wait to be a grandmother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can't wait to be anonymous again.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He didn't wait to be called".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Waiting to be heard.

The New York Times

"Sparks waiting to be lit.

The New York Times

Paula waited to be asked.

The New Yorker

Huge value is waiting to be unlocked.

The Economist

"India is waiting to be led".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait to be" to clearly indicate a passive expectation. For instance, "The results wait to be announced" emphasizes the state of anticipation regarding the announcement.

Common error

Avoid using "wait to be" when an active construction is more appropriate. Instead of "I wait to be told", consider "I wait for someone to tell me" for a more direct and active expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait to be" functions primarily as part of an infinitive construction. It indicates anticipation or expectation for an action to be performed on the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait to be" is a versatile phrase used to express anticipation or passive expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as wiki and business contexts, demonstrating its widespread applicability. The phrase functions as part of an infinitive construction, indicating a state of pending action or event. When using "wait to be", it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might be more appropriate for clarity and directness. Overall, "wait to be" is a reliable way to convey anticipation in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

await being

This alternative uses a gerund form to emphasize the state of anticipation.

expect to be

This focuses on the expectation of a future state or action.

look forward to being

Expresses positive anticipation or excitement about a future state.

anticipate being

Similar to 'await being' but carries a slightly more formal tone.

remain to be

Implies something is in a state of awaiting a future action or discovery.

are yet to be

Highlights that something hasn't happened yet, implying expectation.

are to be

Indicates a planned or scheduled future state.

held in anticipation of being

Emphasizes a state of holding something or someone while waiting.

linger until being

Highlights a prolonged wait before the anticipated event.

pause before being

Suggests a deliberate stop preceding the expected action.

FAQs

How can I use "wait to be" in a sentence?

The phrase "wait to be" indicates anticipation for a future event or action performed on the subject. For example, "The package will "wait to be delivered" tomorrow" or "I "wait to be surprised" by the news".

What are some alternatives to "wait to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "expect to be", "anticipate being", or "look forward to being".

Is it correct to say "waiting to be" instead of "wait to be"?

Yes, "waiting to be" is the present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing state, such as "They are "waiting to be rescued"". "Wait to be" is generally used in infinitive constructions or future contexts.

What is the difference between "wait to be" and "await"?

"Await" is a transitive verb that directly takes an object, implying a more direct expectation. "Wait to be" often implies a passive expectation or a process that needs to occur. For example, "I await your response" versus "I "wait to be contacted" by you".