waiting for

USAGE SUMMARY

"waiting for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "waiting for" when talking about expecting something in the future, whether it be a person, a product, or an event. Example: "I'm waiting for my friend to arrive before continuing with our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're waiting for Davina.

Independent

We're waiting for reciprocation.

The New York Times

"Waiting for you".

The New Yorker

Waiting for another game.

The New York Times

"They're waiting for resolution".

The New York Times

"He's worth waiting for".

The New Yorker

"I'm waiting for birds".

The New Yorker

He's waiting for us.

The New York Times

I'm waiting for him".

The New York Times

"Waiting for elevators.

The New Yorker

We're waiting for you.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting for" to clearly indicate that someone or something is expecting the arrival or occurrence of someone or something else. It's a versatile phrase applicable in many contexts.

Common error

While "waiting for" means expecting someone or something, "waiting on" typically means serving someone in American English. Avoid using "waiting on" when you mean "waiting for" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjectival or adverbial modifier. It indicates a state of expectancy or anticipation directed towards a specific person, object, or event. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting for" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express expectation or anticipation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. It's frequency is high, especially in the News & Media context, emphasizing its widespread usage in reporting and general communication. While alternatives like "awaiting" or "expecting" exist, "waiting for" remains a clear and straightforward way to convey that someone or something is in a state of expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting

This alternative is a more formal synonym, suitable for official communication.

expecting

This alternative focuses on anticipation and anticipation of something positive or negative.

anticipating

This alternative suggests a strong sense of excitement or apprehension about something that is coming.

looking forward to

This alternative implies a positive expectation and eagerness.

standing by for

This alternative suggests readiness and preparedness for something to happen.

biding your time until

This alternative means waiting patiently for the right moment.

marking time until

This alternative conveys a sense of passively passing time while awaiting something.

holding out for

This alternative suggests waiting with determination and perseverance to achieve a desired outcome.

tarrying for

This alternative suggests a slow and lingering wait.

lingering for

This alternative means to stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.

FAQs

How to use "waiting for" in a sentence?

Use "waiting for" to indicate that someone is expecting the arrival or occurrence of something. For example, "I am waiting for the bus", or "They are waiting for the results".

What can I say instead of "waiting for"?

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

Is it correct to say "I'm waiting on" instead of "I'm waiting for"?

In American English, "waiting on" can mean serving someone. To avoid confusion, it's generally better to use "waiting for" when you mean expecting someone or something to arrive.

What's the difference between "waiting for" and "looking forward to"?

"Waiting for" generally describes a neutral expectation, while "looking forward to" implies a positive anticipation. You might be waiting for a dentist appointment, but you're probably looking forward to a vacation.