waiting for buses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting for buses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of standing or remaining in a place until a bus arrives. Example: "While waiting for buses, I often read a book to pass the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Some are waiting for buses.

The New York Times

Instead, she found riders waiting for buses.

The New York Times

He slowed to scan the perimeter: craggy trees, children playing hopscotch, elderly people waiting for buses.

The New York Times

They were all waiting for buses, but only one had come that day.

The New Yorker

People waiting for buses and drunks sleeping on benches were caught in the frenzy.

The Economist

As someone who spent much of her early life waiting for buses, she should know.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"This is a place where our children wait for buses, where our elderly wait for cabs," he said.

The New York Times

People wait for buses on 6th Avenue in New York amid transit chaos in the aftermath of Sandy.

The Guardian

On school days, children from Mexico would cross a makeshift bridge and stand on a dirt road to wait for buses.

The New Yorker

In Queens, Martha Romo, two hours late for work in Manhattan, stood outside the Queensboro Plaza station, where subway service was disrupted and hundreds of commuters waited for buses.

The New York Times

Dozens of soldiers were visiting the gas station's snack bar while they waited for buses back to duty, at the beginning of the Israeli work week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase in both formal and informal contexts, as it is widely understood and grammatically sound.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting on buses" unless you specifically mean waiting on a bus that is already present. "Waiting for buses" is generally preferred to indicate anticipation of their arrival.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for buses" functions as a gerund phrase, typically used as a noun or part of a noun phrase to describe the act of waiting for buses. As Ludwig examples show, it's often used to depict scenes or situations involving public transportation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting for buses" is a grammatically sound and very common gerund phrase that describes the action of people anticipating the arrival of buses. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. It is important to use the preposition "for" rather than "on" to correctly convey the intended meaning. While alternatives exist, such as "standing at the bus stop", the original phrase remains a straightforward and universally understood way to describe this everyday scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standing at the bus stop

This alternative focuses on the physical location where one waits for a bus.

awaiting the bus arrival

This phrase emphasizes the act of anticipating the bus's arrival.

queuing for the bus

This suggests a line or queue formed while waiting.

boarding line for buses

This focuses on the formation of a line to board the buses.

expecting the bus

This alternative highlights the anticipation of the bus.

waiting on the bus

This phrase is a less formal way of saying waiting for the bus.

bus stop lingerers

This refers to people who spend time at a bus stop while waiting.

at the bus terminal

This indicates being at a bus terminal, anticipating departure.

bus passengers in queue

This alternative highlights a queue of passengers waiting for the buses.

public transportation riders

This broader term encompasses all riders using public transportation including buses.

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting for buses" to describe people at a bus stop, such as: "The schoolchildren were "waiting for buses" after school."

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

A more formal alternative is "awaiting bus transportation", which is suitable for official reports or announcements.

Is it correct to say "waiting on buses" instead of "waiting for buses"?

While "waiting on buses" might be heard colloquially, ""waiting for buses"" is the grammatically standard and preferred phrasing.

How does the context affect the choice of using "waiting for buses"?

The context helps determine if you need a more specific or descriptive phrase. For example, if the buses are delayed, you might say "stranded at the bus stop" or "facing bus delays" instead.