waiting for directives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting for directives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you are anticipating instructions or orders from someone in a position of authority. Example: "The team is currently waiting for directives from the project manager before proceeding with the next phase of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr Yunus also called for institutional reform of the bank, whose country offices "are working like post offices waiting for directives from headquarters".In this section Beware of demob Beaten black or blue Ichiro the destroyer The clean-up Death of a Tiger Getting technical In limbo Reprints Related items Bangladesh: The minus-two solutionSep 6th 2007Despite all this, aid is piling in.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On the day the decree was published, state-run newspaper al-Ahram said that an internal report by a commission monitoring the performance of state-run radio and TV described the state TV stations' coverage as "non-professional", "confused", and "lost" as they waited for directives on how to cover the news.

BBC

"We're waiting for a directive," said Antonio Calcagni, the chief of the immigration office at the Police Department in the nearby port city of Taranto, as he stood outside the Manduria camp.

The New York Times

But here's the question I ask myself: Why do I think of Trump while waiting for my "wash your hands" directive to radio down to my child's brain?

Huffington Post

"I was given the directive I've been waiting for for 24 years, which was to get fat, so I've been eating like a pig.

Los Angeles Times

It's never too late to abandon the directives of your antiquated beliefs and connect with the glowing ember of your creative force that is just waiting for you to fan it into a raging fire.

Huffington Post

We're waiting and waiting for you".

The New Yorker

Waiting for food.

Independent

"Waiting for you".

The New Yorker

Waiting for another game.

The New York Times

Waiting for lefty.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awaiting instructions" or "looking for guidance" as a more concise synonyms in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting for directives" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of "The project is waiting for directives", consider "The team awaits the project manager's directives before proceeding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for directives" functions as a present participle phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier or part of a continuous verb tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waiting for directives" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of anticipation for instructions or orders. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and wiki articles, and it carries a relatively neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the source and the expected actions are clear to the reader. Alternatives like "awaiting instructions" or "seeking guidance" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be careful not to overuse passive voice when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting for instructions

Is a very direct and neutral synonym.

awaiting instructions

Focuses on the act of waiting for instructions, implying a more formal tone.

expecting guidance

Highlights the anticipation of receiving guidance, suggesting a need for support and direction.

looking for direction

Emphasizes the search for direction, indicating a proactive stance in seeking guidance.

standing by for orders

Implies readiness to act once orders are received, often used in a military or hierarchical context.

holding out for commands

Highlights the act of waiting with a sense of anticipation for specific commands.

awaiting commands

Emphasizes the act of waiting for commands, suggesting a formal or authoritative setting.

in anticipation of directives

Suggests a state of readiness and expectation, using more formal language.

expecting instructions

Focuses on anticipating specific instructions, implying a structured process.

seeking guidance

Highlights the active pursuit of guidance, indicating a need for assistance and support.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "waiting for directives"?

You can use alternatives like "awaiting instructions", "expecting guidance", or "looking for direction" depending on the context.

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

You can use "waiting for directives" to indicate that someone or something is in a state of anticipation of receiving instructions or orders from a superior. Example: "The team is currently waiting for directives from the project manager before proceeding with the next phase of the project."

Is "waiting for directives" formal or informal?

The phrase "waiting for directives" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the term "directives" leans towards formal communication. Simpler alternatives like "waiting for instructions" might be preferable in informal settings.

What's the difference between "waiting for directives" and "seeking guidance"?

"Waiting for directives" implies a passive stance, expecting instructions to be provided. "Seeking guidance", on the other hand, suggests a more active role in proactively looking for support and direction.