waiting to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"waiting to be" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something or someone is being patient or biding their time until a certain event or action occurs. Example: The cake is waiting to be decorated with frosting and sprinkles before it can be served.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Waiting to be heard.

The New York Times

"Sparks waiting to be lit.

The New York Times

"I'm waiting to be transferred.

The New Yorker

Huge value is waiting to be unlocked.

The Economist

Is another myth waiting to be dismantled?

The Economist

"India is waiting to be led".

The New York Times

A hopeful heart waiting to be bruised.

The New Yorker

They were waiting to be arrested.

The New Yorker

It contains secrets, waiting to be uncovered.

The New York Times - Books

They are just waiting to be explored".

Independent

Many Pakistanis are waiting to be convinced.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting to be" to express anticipation or expectation of a future event or action. It effectively conveys a sense of potential and readiness.

Common error

While "waiting to be" is grammatically correct, overuse can lead to passive constructions. Aim for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to be" functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often used to describe a state of potential or anticipation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a state of anticipation, readiness, or potential for a future action or event. Ludwig confirms its widespread acceptance and correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential overuse leading to passive voice. Explore alternatives to add variety and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet to be

Emphasizes that something has not happened or been done up to the present time.

about to be

Suggests that something will happen very soon.

on the verge of being

Highlights the imminence of a change or event.

in the process of being

Highlights that something is currently undergoing a transformation or action.

anticipated to be

Highlights expectation and anticipation surrounding a future event or state.

in line to be

Indicates a sequential order or planned progression for something to occur.

scheduled to be

Denotes an arrangement for a certain event to happen at a specific time.

slated to be

Similar to "scheduled to be", but can also imply a more formal or official plan.

destined to be

Implies a predetermined or inevitable future state.

poised to be

Suggests readiness and potential for a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "waiting to be" in a sentence?

You can use "waiting to be" to describe something that is in a state of anticipation or potential, such as "The land is "waiting to be developed"" or "Opportunities are "waiting to be seized"".

What are some alternatives to "waiting to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "yet to be", "about to be", or "in the process of being".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "waiting to be"?

While "waiting to be" often appears in passive constructions, consider using active voice when it makes the sentence more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The problem is waiting to be solved", you might say "We are waiting to solve the problem".

What's the difference between "waiting to be" and "about to be"?

"Waiting to be" implies a more general sense of anticipation, while "about to be" suggests that something is imminent or on the verge of happening.