waiting for a response

USAGE SUMMARY

"waiting for a response" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is expecting a reply to a question they asked or a message they sent. For example, "He sent his email inquiry three days ago and is still waiting for a response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are still waiting for a response.

The New York Times

We're waiting for a response".

The Guardian

We are still waiting for a response from Democrats.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Unfortunately I'm still waiting for a response from parliament.

The Guardian - Money

On Thursday she was waiting for a response.

The New York Times

"The Europeans see this too, and they are waiting for a response from Washington".

The New York Times

Unless you are lucky, you are likely to be waiting for a response from the void.

The Guardian

With that, Russell yielded back his time and left, without waiting for a response.

The New Yorker

It's a good idea to track your email while you're waiting for a response.

The Guardian

The court was waiting for a response from the new Administration about how to proceed.

The New Yorker

Leigh Day is waiting for a response to its letter to the UK government in December.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "waiting for a response", ensure the context clearly indicates what the response is expected for. For example, specify the request, email, or question to which a reply is anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting for a response" without specifying what the response pertains to. Instead of "They are waiting for a response", clarify with "They are waiting for a response to their proposal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for a response" functions as a present participial phrase, often acting as an adjective describing a state of anticipation. It indicates that someone or something is in a state of readiness, expecting a reply. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting for a response" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a state of anticipation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. The phrase is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal communication, with a neutral register. While alternatives like "awaiting a reply" or "expecting an answer" exist, "waiting for a response" remains a common and clear choice. Remember to provide context to what you are waiting for to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting a reply

Replaces "response" with "reply", a direct synonym, slightly more formal.

expecting an answer

Substitutes "response" with "answer", focusing on the information expected.

anticipating feedback

Replaces "response" with "feedback", suitable when seeking commentary or evaluation.

in expectation of a response

A more formal and slightly more elaborate way to express the same idea.

pending a reply

A concise, slightly technical way of indicating that something is waiting for a reply.

awaiting communication

More general, implying any form of communication is expected, not just a direct reply.

holding out for a reply

Adds a sense of hope or persistence in waiting.

looking forward to a response

Emphasizes a positive anticipation of the response.

on hold for an answer

Suggests a situation where progress is stopped until the answer is received.

waiting to hear back

More casual, implying a return communication is expected.

FAQs

How can I use "waiting for a response" in a sentence?

You can use "waiting for a response" to indicate that someone is in a state of anticipation, expecting an answer or feedback to a query, proposal, or request. For instance, "The team is currently "waiting for a response" from the client regarding the new design."

What's a more formal alternative to "waiting for a response"?

A more formal alternative would be "awaiting a reply" or "in expectation of a response". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated level of formality.

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

"Waiting for a response" is generally preferred and more widely used. "Waiting on a response" is less common but not necessarily incorrect; however, it might sound less natural in certain contexts. The phrase "waiting for a response" is the common usage.

What's the difference between "awaiting a response" and "waiting for a response"?

"Awaiting a response" and "waiting for a response" are very similar in meaning. "Awaiting" is slightly more formal than "waiting", but they are often interchangeable. Both indicate a period of anticipation before receiving a reply.