waiting to be collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting to be collected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is ready and awaiting pickup or retrieval, often in contexts like deliveries or items at a location. Example: "The package is waiting to be collected from the post office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This is talent waiting to be collected.

The Guardian

Outside Station C183 yesterday soiled sheets and blankets lay in heaps, waiting to be collected for cleaning.

The Guardian

With paper printers, users queue documents from a computer, and each finished sheet drops neatly into a tray, waiting to be collected.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The scheme has been running nicely for some while, so it follows that there is a pot of money waiting to be collected.

The New Yorker

Most people would be amazed at how many dead trees and pieces of wood there are lying around just waiting to be collected.

The Guardian - Money

Death was the master of Auschwitz and its toll was piled outside for all to see, like so much garbage waiting to be collected.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If you can't do this, then get parents or people who are still waiting to be collecting help tidy.

WikiHow

On the doorstep a large black bin bag waited to be collected, while inside a pile of yes brochures had been jumbled without ceremony into a box awaiting disposal.

The Guardian

"Facts about the world are waiting to be observed and collected.

The Guardian

I remember waiting at Skipton station to be collected by Helen Mirren's real-life counterpart.

The Guardian

He added that police are waiting for forensic evidence to be collected and analyzed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting to be collected" to clearly indicate that something is ready and available for someone to pick up or retrieve it. This is useful in instructions, notifications, and descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting to be collected" when the subject is actively collecting something. This phrase is best used when the subject is passively awaiting collection by someone or something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to be collected" functions as a passive adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its state of readiness for collection. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use in various contexts, typically involving an item or entity awaiting an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waiting to be collected" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of readiness for pickup or retrieval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found across diverse sources like news, science, and academia, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "awaiting pickup" or "pending collection" exist, "waiting to be collected" provides a clear and neutral way to convey this specific meaning. The key is to use it when the subject is passively awaiting an action by an external agent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting pickup

Focuses on the act of retrieving something.

ready for retrieval

Emphasizes the state of being prepared to be taken.

pending collection

Highlights that the collection is yet to occur.

scheduled for pickup

Implies a planned time for something to be collected.

to be retrieved

Similar in meaning, but uses a slightly more formal tone.

to be gathered

Focuses on the action of bringing things together.

to be obtained

Emphasizes acquiring or getting possession of something.

needing to be collected

Highlights the necessity of the collection.

available for gathering

Indicates that something is accessible and ready to be brought together.

to be taken away

Emphasizes the removal of something from a location.

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting to be collected" to describe items ready for pickup, such as "The package is "ready to be collected" from the front desk" or "The samples are "ready to be analyzed" after being collected".

What are some alternatives to "waiting to be collected"?

Alternatives include "awaiting pickup", "ready for retrieval", or "pending collection", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'waiting for collection' instead of "waiting to be collected"?

While "waiting for collection" is understandable, "waiting to be collected" is generally more grammatically precise when describing something that is passively awaiting an action. The phrase "waiting for collection" can also mean waiting to start collecting something.

In what situations is "waiting to be collected" most appropriate?

"Waiting to be collected" is most appropriate when describing objects or items that are in a state of readiness for someone or something to pick them up, like packages at a post office or data needing analysis.