waiting for him

USAGE SUMMARY

'waiting for him' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when describing the action taking place at the present moment. For example: "She stood by the door, waiting for him to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'm waiting for him".

The New York Times

I was waiting for him.

The New York Times - Sports

"You were waiting for him?

The New York Times

I've been waiting for him.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are waiting for him".

The New York Times

We're waiting for him".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I waited for him.

The New Yorker

I'll wait for him".

The New Yorker

She waits for him.

The New York Times

I waited for him to be stunned.

The New Yorker

She waited for him to leave.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need a more formal tone, consider using "awaiting his arrival".

Common error

Avoid using "waiting for him" when the context requires a past tense form, such as "waited for him" or "had been waiting for him", to accurately reflect the timing of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for him" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it describing an ongoing action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waiting for him" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express anticipation or expectation of someone's arrival or action. Ludwig AI analysis validates its proper usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotation depends on the context. When aiming for more formal tone consider alternatives such as "awaiting his arrival". Be mindful of tense consistency when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting his arrival

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of waiting specifically for someone to arrive.

expecting him

Focuses on the anticipation of his arrival or action, less passive than "waiting".

anticipating his presence

Highlights the positive expectation and eagerness for his arrival.

looking out for him

Suggests actively watching or searching for him, implying concern or responsibility.

on the lookout for him

Implies a vigilant watch, often used in situations where his arrival might be unexpected or require alertness.

standing by for him

Indicates readiness and preparedness to assist or receive him.

keeping an eye out for him

Similar to 'looking out for him' but with a more casual tone.

remaining until he arrives

Emphasizes the duration and commitment to waiting.

biding time for him

Suggests waiting patiently, often with a sense of purpose or strategy.

lingering for his sake

Implies staying longer than necessary out of consideration for him.

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting for him" to describe the act of someone expecting or anticipating the arrival or action of another person, for example: "She was standing at the station, "waiting for him" to arrive from his trip".

What are some alternatives to "waiting for him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "awaiting his arrival", "expecting him", or "anticipating his presence".

Is it correct to say "waited for him" instead of "waiting for him"?

Both are correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Waiting for him" describes a continuous action in the present, while "waited for him" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "She is "waiting for him" now", versus "She "waited for him" yesterday".

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

"Waiting for him" is more common and informal, while "awaiting him" is more formal and often used in official or written contexts. Both essentially mean the same thing: expecting someone.