waiting outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting outside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is in a location outside, typically in a context where they are expected to be there for a certain reason, such as waiting for someone or something. Example: "I saw her waiting outside the coffee shop, looking at her watch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'm still waiting outside".

The New York Times - Sports

"The bus is waiting outside," she said.

The New Yorker

The car's still waiting outside".

The New York Times

Waiting outside, Augur heard shouting.

The Guardian

There's something bigger for us waiting outside".

The New Yorker

Mr. Cassidy was waiting outside, the police said.

The New York Times

No matter: there were "thousands of people waiting outside".

The Guardian

The small crowd waiting outside gasped and cheered.

The New Yorker

We were waiting outside and could hear the credits.

The Guardian - Film

At the group home, Peggy is waiting outside, smoking.

The New York Times - Magazine

While I was waiting outside, the police stopped me.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "waiting outside" to create a sense of anticipation or expectation. It effectively conveys that someone is in a state of readiness or expectancy in an external location.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting outside" to describe internal feelings or metaphorical situations. It is specifically related to a physical location and should not be used to describe abstract concepts or emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting outside" functions as a present participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing an action (waiting) performed in a specific location (outside). Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting outside" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict someone or something positioned externally in anticipation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse communication scenarios. Related alternatives include "standing by outdoors" and "lingering outdoors", each providing subtle nuances. When using the expression, it's crucial to ensure it relates to a physical location rather than abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standing by outdoors

Replaces 'waiting' with 'standing by' and 'outside' with 'outdoors', altering the action and location descriptions while retaining the core meaning.

lingering outdoors

Substitutes 'waiting' with 'lingering,' implying a less purposeful stance, and 'outside' with 'outdoors'.

remaining in open air

Replaces "waiting" with "remaining" and "outside" with the more descriptive "in open air", changing the tone and imagery.

stationed outdoors

Replaces 'waiting' with 'stationed', suggesting a more formal or strategic positioning, and 'outside' with 'outdoors'.

loitering near the entrance

Replaces 'waiting' with 'loitering', implying a more casual or aimless presence, and 'outside' with 'near the entrance'.

biding time externally

Replaces 'waiting' with 'biding time', emphasizing the passage of time, and 'outside' with 'externally'.

tarrying in open space

Changes 'waiting' to 'tarrying,' indicating a deliberate delay, and 'outside' to 'in open space,' which adds a spatial element.

idling beyond the doorway

Swaps 'waiting' for 'idling,' signifying inactivity, and 'outside' for 'beyond the doorway,' specifying a location.

pausing out front

Substitutes 'waiting' with 'pausing,' suggesting a temporary halt, and 'outside' with 'out front,' a more informal term.

staying in the exterior

Replaces 'waiting' with 'staying' and 'outside' with 'in the exterior', which sounds more descriptive.

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting outside" to describe someone or something positioned in an external location, anticipating an event or person. For example, "The bus is "waiting outside" the school."

What's a more formal way to say "waiting outside"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "stationed outdoors" or "remaining in the exterior". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while elevating the level of formality.

What are some situations where "waiting outside" is commonly used?

"Waiting outside" is often used in contexts involving transportation, appointments, or surveillance. For example, "The car was "waiting outside" the building", or "The protesters were "waiting outside" the courthouse".

Is there a difference between "waiting outside" and "standing outside"?

While similar, "standing outside" implies a more static and possibly prolonged presence, whereas ""waiting outside"" suggests a more purposeful and temporary state of anticipation. You could be standing outside without waiting for anything in particular, but if you're waiting, there's usually an expectation involved.