waiting off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting off" is not correct and does not have a standard usage in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words and does not convey a clear meaning in context. Example: "I was waiting off for the bus" would be incorrect; a more appropriate phrase would be "I was waiting for the bus."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We're clearing out of the locker room and I see Francisco Garcia waiting off to the side and waving at me," Pitino recalled.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, a ship is always waiting off the shores of Lampedusa, ready to move the immigrants when their numbers get too high.

BBC

Most of the stolen crude is pumped straight from the pipeline onto barges which then transfer the valuable load onto ships waiting off shore - an operation known as bunkering.

BBC

Warships from the UK, US and France, loaded with humanitarian supplies, have been waiting off Burma's coast.

The Guardian

Two dozen American vessels waiting off the coast of Turkey near Iskendren to unload military equipment stayed there, an American official said.

The New York Times

"There are not a lot of people waiting off the shores of South Africa, deciding whether or not to invest in South Africa based on the outcome of Standard & Poor's ratings," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The most impressive sight is not in town but from town, of scores of freighters and tankers waiting off-shore to enter the clogged harbour: it takes an average of 45 days to dock and three months to get a container out of the port.Just another African business bubble, to be puffed up by the usual Western buccaneers?

The Economist

It is better to let the hot oyster sauce mixture wait off the heat for a second or two than risk overcooking the greens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After Jason cut the ribbon, he gave an interview to a Chinatown TV station — it was his first time doing press — while his mom waited off to the side.

The New Yorker

Detaching most of his squadron to Madras, Rainier waited off Pondicherry for further French movements and on 15 July spotted Belle Poule just off the coast.

Wikipedia

As per the operation plan, the five mother submarines waited off Port Hacking on the nights of 1 and 2 June for the midget submarines to return.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "waiting off" in formal writing. Instead, use more standard prepositions like "waiting for" or consider alternative phrases that accurately convey your intended meaning.

Common error

A common error is incorrectly using "off" instead of "for" after "waiting". Always double-check your preposition choice to ensure it aligns with standard English grammar. If you are "waiting for" the bus it means you are expecting the arrival of the bus. The phrase "holding off" indicates delaying something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting off" as a verb + preposition combination, does not function as a standard grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct and suggests more appropriate alternatives, like "waiting for". While the individual words are functional, their combination lacks established grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting off" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks standard usage in English writing. Ludwig AI confirms this by flagging it as incorrect and suggesting alternatives. While it appears in some contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources, its ambiguity makes it unsuitable for formal writing. Better alternatives include "waiting for", "holding off", or "standing by", depending on the intended meaning. Therefore, writers should avoid using "waiting off" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting for

Directly replaces "off" with the correct preposition "for" to indicate the object of waiting.

holding off

Indicates delaying an action or decision.

standing by

Implies being ready to act or assist when needed.

remaining offshore

Suggests staying at a distance from the shore, often in the context of ships or other vessels.

lingering near

Conveys staying in a place longer than necessary, close to something.

biding time

Indicates waiting patiently for an opportunity.

loitering around

Implies waiting or remaining in an area without a clear purpose, often negatively.

tarrying nearby

Suggests a deliberate delay in proceeding, staying close to a location.

postponing departure

Explicitly states the act of delaying a departure or leaving.

deferring action

Means delaying an action until a later time.

FAQs

Is "waiting off" grammatically correct?

No, "waiting off" is not generally considered grammatically correct. A more appropriate phrase would be "waiting for", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "waiting off"?

You can use alternatives like "waiting for", "holding off", or "standing by" depending on the context.

When should I use "waiting for" instead of "waiting off"?

You should always use "waiting for" when you are expecting someone or something. "Waiting off" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "waiting for" and "holding off"?

Waiting for implies anticipating the arrival or occurrence of something. "Holding off" means delaying an action or decision.