waiting for long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting for long" is not a complete sentence, but it can be used as a phrase in written English. It is commonly used to express that someone has been waiting for a significant amount of time. Example: "I've been waiting for long, but he still hasn't shown up." In this sentence, "waiting for long" conveys that the speaker has been waiting for a while and is starting to feel frustrated or impatient. It can also be used in a similar context, such as "I can't wait for long" or "She has been waiting for long enough." It is most commonly used in informal or conversational writing.

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

He's not likely to sit around waiting for long for someone else to make a decision".

The New York Times

It is rare to see anyone waiting for long, and I have never heard of someone waiting four days.

The Guardian

Priority should be given to the patients who are hardest to match, to children and to those who have been waiting for long periods, the committee said.

The New York Times

Immigration attorneys and human rights activists have protested that the new policy will leave asylum seekers waiting for long periods in border cities rife with violence.

The Washington Post

We have also heard of prisons introducing ticketing systems, which mean families arriving at jails well before visiting hours begin and waiting for long periods in a queue.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, subtle, sex-specific effects of prenatal cocaine exposure were seen on measures that indicate impairments in sustained attention and "readiness", as well as altered reactivity to task-related stressors such as waiting for long and unpredictable delays.

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Investors are thought to have gotten cold feet waiting for long-expected institutional investment into the sector.

Forbes

This system was not initially marketed commercially while waiting for long-term follow-up results.

BioMed Research International

About 40% of DHDs in general surgery, geriatrics and internal medicine were associated with waiting for long-term/rehabilitation beds (37.0%, 40.0% and 42.1%, respectively).

BMC Health Services Research

It's also getting to a primary care provider hopefully earlier and faster than you did before…" – Decision Maker 023 "… now we are taking [patients waiting for long-term care] because we realize that some of them are waiting for a long time like 2 years, 3 years to go to nursing homes…" – Telehomecare Nurse 065 " It's not just self-management.

BMC Health Services Research

I did not have to wait for long.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more formal or precise phrasing (e.g., "waiting for an extended period") would better suit the context, especially in formal or academic writing.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what is being waited for. For instance, instead of just saying "They were "waiting for long"", clarify with "They were "waiting for long" for the bus" or "They were "waiting for long" to hear the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting for long" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of waiting for an extended duration. Ludwig shows its usage across varied contexts, often denoting a sense of delay or anticipation. While common, Ludwig AI marks it as acceptable rather than strictly correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waiting for long" is a commonly used expression to indicate an extended duration of waiting. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, it's important to note that grammatically standard alternatives like "waiting a long time" might be more suitable for formal writing. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, but less so in formal business settings. Therefore, when writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required, and if in doubt, opt for a more grammatically precise alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long wait

Uses a noun phrase instead of a verb phrase to describe the duration.

lengthy period of waiting

Adds emphasis by specifying a "lengthy period".

extended waiting period

Replaces "long" with "extended" and uses "period" to emphasize duration.

enduring a long wait

Highlights the act of enduring the wait as a challenge.

prolonged anticipation

Emphasizes the feeling of anticipation associated with a long wait.

being kept waiting for an extended time

Highlights the action of being kept waiting.

experiencing a significant delay

Emphasizes the impact of the delay.

protracted delay

Focuses on the delay aspect and uses a more formal tone.

languishing while waiting

Introduces a negative connotation suggesting discomfort during the waiting time.

biding one's time for a considerable period

More formal and emphasizes patience and strategy while waiting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "waiting for long" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider alternatives like "waiting for an extended period", "anticipating for a considerable time", or "enduring a lengthy delay".

What's the difference between "waiting for long" and "waiting a long time"?

"Waiting for long" is less formal and common in everyday speech. "Waiting a long time" is grammatically standard and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The latter is generally preferred in writing.

Is "waiting for long" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "waiting for long" can be seen as grammatically informal. It is generally acceptable in conversational English, but in formal writing, it is best to use phrases like "waiting a long time" or "waiting for an extended period".

What are some common situations where people end up "waiting for long"?

People commonly end up "waiting for long" in various situations, such as at healthcare facilities, in queues for services, or when expecting delayed responses or outcomes. Examples include "waiting for long at the clinic", "waiting for long in the immigration line", or "waiting for long for the test results".