waited for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "waited for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations to indicate that a person or group is waiting, or has been waiting, for some length of time. For example, "We waited for a while, but eventually decided to go elsewhere for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Imagine my dismay when a man walked by after I had waited for a while.

The New York Times

"A lot of creditors will agree to wait some time; they've already waited for a while".

The Guardian - Business

The counselors waited for a while, but when he did not return, they left.

The New York Times

I waited for a while and then I saw it online on another personal page and I saw that it was public.

Independent

Mr. Karim and the woman waited for a while to see whether the officer would come and pick up the bird.

The New York Times

"We waited for a while before having kids, knowing that child care would not be a problem because of the facility here," Mrs. LaSusa said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The Uruguayan government is always telling us 'wait for a while, wait for a while, wait for a while'.

The Guardian

The orchestra will wait (for a while, anyway).

The New York Times

Henley may have to wait for a while.

Independent

Still, Mr. Marchionne could wait for a while.

The New York Times

"He will probably wait for a while before visiting Thailand," Mr. Suriya said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider more precise language if the exact duration is known or relevant.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "waited for a while" without providing additional context. If the waiting period had a significant impact, specify the approximate duration or its effect to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waited for a while" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of waiting for an unspecified but noticeable duration. It is commonly used to describe a delay or anticipation before a subsequent event, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. The phrase typically modifies the subject of the sentence, providing information about their actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waited for a while" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a moderate period of waiting. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media, but can also be found in business and informal writing. While its vagueness might make it less suitable for formal or scientific contexts where precision is key, it effectively conveys the idea of a non-negligible waiting period. For more precise writing, consider alternatives like "lingered for some time" or specify the duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingered for some time

Implies a more leisurely or less purposeful waiting.

tarried for a bit

Suggests a brief delay or pause before proceeding.

stuck around for a bit

Informal way to express staying and waiting without any particular reason.

remained for some time

Focuses on the act of staying in place, rather than actively waiting.

hung out for some time

Casual way to say someone stayed in a place expecting something to happen.

paused for a duration

Emphasizes a temporary cessation of activity.

delayed for a while

Focuses on postponement and putting things on hold for some time.

dwelt for a period

Implies a more prolonged or thoughtful waiting.

extended the stay for some time

Emphasizes the intention of prolonging the stay while waiting for something.

bided one's time

Suggests waiting strategically for an opportune moment.

FAQs

How can I use "waited for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "waited for a while" to indicate a period of waiting that wasn't excessively long or short. For example, "I "waited for a while" before the bus arrived" or "We "waited for a while" to see if anything would happen."

What are some alternatives to "waited for a while"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lingered for some time", "tarried for a bit", or "remained for some time".

Is it appropriate to use "waited for a while" in formal writing?

While "waited for a while" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal or vague. In formal writing, consider using more precise language to specify the duration of waiting if it's relevant.

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

"Waited for a while" suggests a moderate amount of waiting, whereas "waited a long time" implies a considerably longer duration. The choice depends on how much emphasis you want to place on the length of the wait.