waiting for commands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting for commands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is in a state of readiness to receive instructions or directives. Example: "The robot is currently waiting for commands to execute the next task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

American military officials, hoping to jump-start the economy by restoring basic services like electricity and water, complain that the country's leaderless bureaucrats are paralyzed, waiting for commands that no one is giving.

The New York Times

PCs are vain and idle creatures; they spend most of their time updating their displays and waiting for commands from their masters.

Forbes

Akamai says more than 45,000 devices are already under the thumb of the massive network — potentially amounting to more than a million computers waiting for commands.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was up to the men themselves to decide what to do with the skills, rather than wait for commands from the other side of the world.

BBC

The researchers described their newly discovered malware, dubbed GoodSender, as a "fairly simple" Windows-based malware that's about a year old, which uses Telegram as the method to listen and wait for commands.

TechCrunch

The main program first reads some tables from the MySQL database in order to create the inverted index, and then waits for commands from the client application.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

All the while, these commands occur when the horse is up on the bridle and waiting for a command.

The New York Times

"They're just waiting for my command".

The New York Times - Magazine

Not far off are the Kurdish Peshmerga, waiting for the command to push Isis further back from the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk, the capital of its eponymous governorate, 12 miles to the north.

Independent

Shlegel, like all other Russians — officials or civilians — operate in a vertical in an easily paralyzed system where everyone is waiting for a command from the next level up.

The New Yorker

Having 10 people waiting for her command is "absolutely horrendous", she adds, and when someone asks if a sculpture is in the right position, "the only thing I'm thinking is, 'I haven't a clue.'" Barlow's modesty seems surprising, given the scale on which she works.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "waiting for commands", ensure the context clearly defines who or what is waiting and who or what is issuing the commands. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting for commands" when the expected action is not a direct order or instruction. Use alternative phrasing like "awaiting input" or "waiting for a signal" if the situation involves a less formal or less directive interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for commands" functions as a verb phrase that describes a state of readiness or anticipation. It typically indicates that someone or something is in a passive mode, ready to act as soon as instructions are received, as illustrated by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting for commands" is a grammatically correct verb phrase denoting a state of readiness for instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used in contexts where someone or something is prepared to act upon receiving specific orders. While its usage is relatively rare, the phrase appears in diverse fields like news, science, and technology. When writing, make sure that the context clarifies who or what is waiting, and what constitutes a command, to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "awaiting instructions" and "standing by for orders" offer similar meanings with subtle variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting instructions

Replaces "waiting" with a more formal synonym, and "commands" with a broader term.

standing by for orders

Uses military terminology to convey readiness.

on standby awaiting orders

Combines 'on standby' with 'awaiting orders' to reinforce the state of readiness.

in a holding pattern pending directives

Employs aviation and bureaucratic terms to signify delayed action.

poised to receive instructions

Emphasizes readiness and the act of receiving directions.

ready to execute directives

Highlights the immediate capability to act upon instructions.

prepared to follow commands

Focuses on the willingness and ability to adhere to orders.

remaining idle until directed

Stresses inactivity until guidance is provided.

at the ready for instruction

Uses a more concise and direct phrase to highlight preparedness.

receptive to guidance

Highlights the openness and willingness to accept direction.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "waiting for commands"?

You can use alternatives like "awaiting instructions", "standing by for orders", or "ready to execute directives" depending on the context.

How to use "waiting for commands" in a sentence?

"Waiting for commands" is typically used to describe a state of readiness or inactivity until specific instructions are given. For example: "The soldiers were waiting for commands from their superior officer" or "The computer program is waiting for commands from the user".

What is the difference between "waiting for commands" and "following instructions"?

"Waiting for commands" implies a state of anticipation before any action is taken, while "following instructions" describes the action of executing those commands once they are received.

Is "waiting on commands" an acceptable alternative to "waiting for commands"?

While "waiting on" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "waiting for", it is less common and generally less preferred in formal contexts. "Waiting for commands" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing.