waiting on

USAGE SUMMARY

"waiting on" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used when waiting for something to happen, such as waiting for a response from someone. For example: "I've been waiting on a response from the HR department all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No waiting on this one, however.

TechCrunch

The one everybody was waiting on.

The Guardian

I'm waiting on you.

The New Yorker

We're waiting on test results.

Independent

We're still waiting on Ohio.

The New Yorker

Bland: I'm waiting on you.

The New Yorker

I'm waiting on the test results".

The New Yorker

"The warden is waiting on me".

The New York Times

I felt important waiting on customers.

The New Yorker

"We're just waiting on the means".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has to wait on God.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting on" when you are anticipating a decision, action, or arrival of someone or something. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider more formal alternatives like "awaiting" in highly professional settings.

Common error

While "wait on" and "wait for" can both express anticipation, "wait on" often implies serving someone (e.g., "waiting on tables"), while "wait for" generally means anticipating something to happen (e.g., "waiting for the bus"). Ensure you're using the correct preposition to match your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting on" functions as a verb phrase typically used as a present participle, indicating an ongoing state of anticipation or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the act of awaiting something to happen or someone to take action. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, like "waiting on test results" or "waiting on a sign".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waiting on" is a common and generally acceptable verb phrase used to express anticipation or expectation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound and widely used, its formality level is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. For more formal settings, "awaiting" may be a better choice. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it describes an ongoing state pending a future event or decision. Understanding the subtle differences between "waiting on", "wait for", and similar phrases ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting

This alternative is a more formal and concise way of expressing the same idea.

expecting

This alternative emphasizes anticipation and a degree of certainty that something will happen.

standing by for

This alternative suggests readiness and preparedness to act once something occurs.

in anticipation of

This alternative is a formal way to indicate looking forward to something.

on hold for

This alternative suggests a temporary pause while waiting for something specific.

keeping an eye out for

This alternative implies actively watching and being vigilant for something.

biding one's time for

This alternative emphasizes patience and waiting for the opportune moment.

marking time until

This alternative suggests passing time until a specific event or moment arrives.

in a holding pattern for

This alternative conveys a sense of being temporarily delayed or suspended while awaiting further developments.

twiddling thumbs

This alternative phrase is an informal, idiomatic way to indicate waiting idly.

FAQs

How can I use "waiting on" in a sentence?

You can use "waiting on" to indicate that you are anticipating something. For example, "I am waiting on the delivery of my new furniture" or "We are waiting on their decision before proceeding".

Is it correct to say "wait on" instead of "wait for"?

While both phrases involve anticipation, "wait on" can also mean to serve someone, like a waiter /s/waiter in a restaurant. If you mean simply anticipating, "wait for" might be more appropriate.

What's a more formal alternative to "waiting on"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "awaiting". It conveys the same meaning but is better suited for professional or academic writing.

When should I use "waiting on" versus other phrases like "expecting" or "anticipating"?

"Waiting on" is generally used for something you're passively anticipating. "Expecting" implies a higher degree of certainty, while "anticipating" suggests a more active state of looking forward to something.