waiting to be served

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting to be served" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is anticipating assistance or service, such as in a restaurant or customer service setting. Example: "The customers were patiently waiting to be served at the busy café during the lunch rush."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

While waiting to be served she removed her gloves very leisurely and laid them beside her.

Independent

Reading a newspaper, he would completely disregard a line of customers waiting to be served.

The New Yorker

He tried to push past Jimmy and his brother Harry who were waiting to be served.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Three tills at the front of the store with no one waiting to be served.

The Guardian - Money

The bar manager approached us while we were waiting to be served and stood in front of us, staring.

The Guardian

Papi was sitting in a wooden chair at the kitchen table, probably smoking a cigarette while she worked, waiting to be served.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As we waited to be served a plate of his goose liver, Eduardo smiled nervously.

The Guardian

A queue spills out of Greggs the bakers as young women with small children wait to be served.

The Guardian

Mr. Bayless will have to think about how to keep the food from growing cold or collapsing while it waits to be served.

The New York Times - Food

Cyrille Merienne, deputy store manager of the Vuitton shop on the Champs-Elysees, acknowledged that clients sometimes had to wait to be served.

The New York Times

Still, at Jay Fai's opening time of around 4 in the afternoon, a line waits to be served, and the cook throws handfuls of chicken chunks and noodles into a pan as if she were a metronome on double time.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waiting to be served" to clearly indicate that someone is in a queue or line anticipating assistance or service. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "waiting to be served" when the context implies passive inaction rather than active anticipation. For example, instead of saying 'The market is waiting to be served by new technologies', consider 'The market is ripe for disruption by new technologies' to convey a sense of potential rather than simple anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to be served" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a larger clause to describe a state of anticipation or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Many examples showcase this usage in contexts ranging from customer service to broader societal needs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waiting to be served" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of anticipating assistance or service. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, with a particularly strong presence in News & Media. When writing, it's important to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects active anticipation rather than passive inaction. Alternative phrasings such as "awaiting assistance" or "in line for service" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance. Ludwig's examples and related phrases provide a comprehensive understanding of its usage and potential substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting assistance

Replaces the gerund phrase with a participle and a noun, offering a more concise alternative.

queuing for assistance

More explicitly mentions the act of standing in a line or queue.

in line for service

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate the position in a queue for service.

awaiting one's turn

Highlights the act of patiently anticipating the moment of being served.

in the queue

A shortened version that implies the purpose of being in the queue is to receive service.

expecting service

Emphasizes the anticipation of receiving service.

on the waiting list

Indicates a more formalized waiting system, often used in restaurants or for appointments.

seeking attention

Highlights the act of trying to get the attention of service providers.

in a holding pattern

Implies a temporary state of inactivity while expecting to be served.

requesting help

Focuses on the act of asking for assistance, which is often implied when "waiting to be served".

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting to be served" to describe individuals or entities anticipating assistance or service in a variety of contexts. For example, "The customers were patiently waiting to be served at the restaurant" or "The underserved communities are waiting to be served by improved healthcare initiatives".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "awaiting assistance", "in line for service", or "expecting service".

When is it appropriate to use "waiting to be served"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation where someone is actively in a queue or line, or is expecting to receive a service. Avoid using it when implying passive inaction or lack of agency.

Is "waiting on being served" grammatically correct?

While "waiting to be served" is the standard and more widely accepted phrasing, "waiting on being served" is less common and can sound informal or dialectal. "Waiting to be served" is generally preferred in formal writing.