waiting to be taken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting to be taken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is available for selection, adoption, or action. Example: "The abandoned puppy was sitting by the curb, waiting to be taken to a loving home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's a town just waiting to be taken.

The New York Times

On Thursday afternoon, the last two patients were waiting to be taken out.

The New York Times

Amid the stressful scene, one older woman clutched a brown teddy bear while waiting to be taken aboard.

The New York Times

He told his family he was lying near the scene waiting to be taken to a hospital.

The New York Times

The day's worst incident took place in the waterfront hiring hall at 6.20 a.m., where 1,500 Moslems were waiting to be taken on for the day's work.

The New York Times

A row of machines, all white, shrink-wrapped and guaranteed for a year, sits outside on the Tarmac, waiting to be taken away in the next charity van.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Or they can just wait to be taken by surprise.

The New York Times

Bill said: "I can't wait to be taken over by Mothercare".

The Guardian - Opinion

On Saturday at least, all the audience members, including me, docilely waited to be taken from place to place.

The New York Times - Arts

In outlying areas, grim institutions still wait to be taken over, and that often involves turf wars.

The New York Times

"There was a time when I would have said the same about John Osborne, but now — well, let's say I would wait to be taken by other people.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "waiting to be taken", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the taking. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple passive voice constructions. While "waiting to be taken" is acceptable, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Vary your sentence structure for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting to be taken" functions as a participial phrase, specifically a passive infinitive. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something in a state of readiness for an action to be performed on it. Ludwig examples show it describing anything from objects to people in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting to be taken" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a state of readiness for an action initiated by an external agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what is doing the 'taking' and avoid overuse of passive voice in your writing. Consider using alternative phrases like "awaiting collection" or "ready for acquisition" for variety. The phrase effectively conveys anticipation and availability across various scenarios, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting collection

Focuses on the act of being picked up or gathered, often implying a physical object.

scheduled for pickup

Specifies that an arrangement for retrieval has been made.

ready for acquisition

Emphasizes preparedness for gaining possession or control.

prepared to be received

Highlights the state of being ready to welcome or accept something.

set to be retrieved

Focuses on the arrangement for something to be recovered or brought back.

available for adoption

Specifically relates to the context of adopting something or someone.

poised for removal

Highlights readiness for being taken away or eliminated.

wanting to be chosen

Implies a desire to be selected or preferred.

in line to be selected

Suggests a sequential order in which something will be chosen.

ripe for the taking

Emphasizes the opportunity or advantage of acquiring something.

FAQs

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

You can use "waiting to be taken" to describe something that is ready or available to be acted upon by someone else. For example, "The opportunities were "waiting to be taken" by ambitious entrepreneurs."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "awaiting collection", "ready for acquisition", or "available for adoption", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active voice instead of "waiting to be taken"?

In many cases, using the active voice can make your writing more direct and impactful. Instead of "waiting to be taken", consider rephrasing to something like "entrepreneurs could seize the opportunities" to create a stronger statement.

What is the difference between "waiting to be taken" and "waiting to take"?

"Waiting to be taken" implies a passive role, where someone or something is acted upon. "Waiting to take" implies an active role, where someone or something is preparing to perform an action. For example, "The students were waiting to take the exam".