waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of staying in a place or remaining inactive until a particular event occurs or until someone arrives. Example: "I was waiting for the bus when it started to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

States and territories will also lose access to reward payments for reducing waiting times under the national partnership agreement on improving public hospital services, saving the federal government $201m over three years.

The Guardian

Dressed in a black lace Armani Prive gown which had fashion writers salivating, Blanchett admitted to having "downed a few vodkas" while waiting to hear if she had won her third Golden Globe.

The Guardian - Film

In the daydreaming time somewhere between browsing Instagram and waiting for the models to appear, I started mentally shopping for a new skirt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Three women who work at a hair care shop testified that they heard Kaarma say that same day that he had been waiting up nights to shoot an intruder.

The Guardian

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they don't hang around behind the barricades at the show waiting for a glimpse.

The Guardian

Privately, Cameron is still waiting to hear more clearly from the hesitant Obama about what his strategic thinking might be.

The Guardian

"If we were in Texas, we wouldn't be here waiting for Warren Hill to be executed," she said.

The Guardian

Andries Nkome, who is also representing the Association of Mineworkers and Construction union, said: "Our clients are taking credit that they were able to get the president to commit to release the report but he is still treating them with contempt, having ignored their request for a commitment by 2pm on Sunday and waiting to address parliament instead".

The Guardian

She said the industry was waiting on the release of a review into research infrastructure funding being carried out by businessman Philip Clark and the chief scientist, Ian Chubb, which was due mid-year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a period of "waiting", use vivid language to convey the emotional state, such as anxiety, anticipation, or boredom.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting" interchangeably with "waited" without considering the correct tense for the sentence. Ensure the verb tense aligns with the timeline of the action.

Linguistic Context

The word "waiting" functions primarily as a verb, specifically a present participle, indicating an ongoing action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of waiting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Film

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Travel

5%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waiting" is a versatile and frequently used term, functioning primarily as a verb to describe the act of delaying action or remaining in anticipation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, film, and sports reporting. When using "waiting", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey – whether it's passive anticipation, strategic delay, or simple readiness. Alternatives like "awaiting" or "expecting" can add subtle differences in meaning. Ensure correct tense usage to avoid common grammatical errors. With its widespread applicability, "waiting" remains a crucial word in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting

A more formal synonym for waiting.

in anticipation

Focuses on the feeling of excitement or eagerness while awaiting something.

expecting

Highlights the anticipation of a future event.

biding time

Suggests a strategic delay, often to gain an advantage.

standing by

Indicates readiness to act when needed.

on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension or postponement.

lingering

Implies staying longer than necessary or expected.

in abeyance

Implies a more formal or legal suspension.

staying put

Focuses on remaining in a specific location until something happens.

tarrying

Suggests a leisurely or reluctant delay.

FAQs

How to use "waiting" in a sentence?

"Waiting" can be used as a verb to describe the act of staying in place or delaying action until a specific event occurs. For example, "I am waiting for the bus" or "They were waiting for the announcement".

What can I say instead of "waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "awaiting", "expecting", or "anticipating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "waiting for" or "waiting on"?

"Waiting for" is generally preferred and more common. "Waiting on" can sometimes imply serving someone, though this usage is less frequent.

What's the difference between "waiting" and "expecting"?

"Waiting" implies a more passive state of staying put until something happens, while "expecting" suggests a stronger anticipation or belief that something will occur.