waited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of remaining in a place or delaying an action until a particular time or event occurs. Example: "She waited for the bus to arrive, checking her watch every few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And waited.

The New York Times - Travel

The Conservatives have waited almost 20 years for their own "Portillo moment".

The Guardian

I've waited a week to see whether any members of the pontificating classes take any further interest in the inquest held in Milton Keynes last Friday.

The Guardian

They debate whether the fact the audience will have waited 15 minutes for a 15-second encore will earn them some sort of record.

The Guardian - Music

Queues for rides were short: the Guardian's reporter at Alton Towers waited no longer than 15 minutes to get on the most popular attractions.

The Guardian - Travel

After Massachusetts passed its landmark law in 2006, few people signed up at first – most waited for the deadlines to finalise their coverage decisions.

The Guardian

Across the street from the corpses, men and women waited silently for a bus with their plastic shopping bags and children in hand, keeping their gaze away from the dead bodies.

The Guardian

He then went to the hospital, found Eddie was in intensive care, and called at 1am to tell Janet, who came over to Sheffield with Adam's uncle Robert and waited at Eddie's bedside.

The Guardian

Where once we waited eagerly to catch our weekly fix, these days we are masters of our own viewing destiny, choosing when to watch and, increasingly, what viewing platform to watch it on.

The Guardian

"And I'm so glad we waited because there's a certain weight and even sweetness to this record that has to do with a friendship that has gone through so much... we've experienced so much together".

The Guardian - Music

A pair of $20 dress shoes bought for a wedding as the cab waited outside.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "waited", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being awaited. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "wait" instead of "waited" when referring to a past action. "Wait" is present tense; use "waited" for past actions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "waited" is as the past simple form of the verb "wait". It indicates a completed action in the past, such as "Across the street from the corpses, men and women waited silently for a bus". As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waited" functions as the past simple form of the verb "wait", denoting a completed action of anticipation or delay in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, especially within news and media. While alternatives like "stayed", "lingered", and "remained" exist, "waited" specifically emphasizes the act of remaining in place until something occurs. It's essential to use "waited" instead of the present tense "wait" when referring to past actions. The prevalence of "waited" in authoritative news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its common and acceptable usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed

Focuses more on the physical act of remaining in a place.

delayed

Highlights the postponement of an event or action.

lingered

Implies a pleasant or reluctant delay.

remained

Emphasizes a continued state or presence.

tarried

Suggests a leisurely or unnecessary delay.

paused

Indicates a temporary cessation of activity.

held back

Implies restraining oneself from acting.

expected

Centers on believing something will occur.

abode

An older, more formal way of saying remained or stayed.

anticipated

Focuses on expecting something to happen.

FAQs

How is the verb "waited" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "waited" usually describes an action in the past where someone remained in place or delayed an action until a certain time or event. For example: "She "waited" patiently for the train to arrive".

What are some alternatives to using "waited"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives such as "stayed", "lingered", or "remained".

Is it correct to say "I wait" when referring to a past event?

No, "I wait" is in the present tense. To refer to a past event, you should use "I "waited"".

What is the difference between "waited for" and "expected"?

"Waited for" implies remaining in place until something happens, while "expected" simply means to anticipate that something will occur, without necessarily waiting.