waiting was high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiting was high" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a sense of anticipation or expectation, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The waiting was high, as everyone eagerly anticipated the results of the competition."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a randomised comparison of terms for DCIS among a national community sample of women, interest in watchful waiting was high irrespective of the terminology used.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the PRF case, the uncertainty of waiting is higher, as both the franchise period and company-owned period are influenced by the stochastic process of revenue.

Financial Innovation

Overall initial treatment preferences for watchful waiting were high (64%).

BMJ Open

Overall, the time spent for waiting was significantly higher than the time spent for consultation with service providers.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"It's worrying that the number of extra people waiting is that high.

The Guardian

ED has argued that greens shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, that the political situation will be largely the same next year anyway, and that the price of waiting is too high (delaying the start of the program means faster, steeper cuts will be required).

Huffington Post

The argument for waiting is that the higher Social Security payment becomes a kind longevity insurance if you outlive your money, maximizing your benefit.

Los Angeles Times

Now, waiting is starting to mean higher prices and fewer choices.

The New York Times

In a hypothetical scenario, interest in watchful waiting for DCIS was high, and changing terminology impacted women's concern and treatment preferences.

BMJ Open

CR program perceptions of the feasible number of days' wait were significantly higher than what was considered appropriate.

BMC Health Services Research

Is that the culture we're trying to set — one of sitting around waiting and being high and mighty — or is it the culture where we're going to get things done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To express a sense of anticipation, use more precise language such as "anticipation was high" or "expectations were high" rather than "waiting was high".

Common error

Avoid using "waiting was high" as a direct replacement for "anticipation was high". While they both relate to a period before an event, "anticipation was high" more accurately conveys a feeling of excitement or eagerness. "Waiting was high" is not considered standard English usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiting was high" functions as a nominal phrase where "waiting" is the subject and "was high" attempts to describe a state of intensity. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "waiting was high" is considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard in written English, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. While it appears in some sources, especially news and scientific contexts, it's recommended to use clearer and more accurate alternatives like "anticipation was high", "expectation was high", or "the wait was long" to effectively communicate the intended meaning. These alternatives not only ensure grammatical correctness but also provide clarity and precision in conveying feelings associated with waiting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipation was high

Replaces 'waiting' with 'anticipation', offering a grammatically sound and semantically similar alternative.

expectation was high

Substitutes 'waiting' with 'expectation', resulting in a grammatically correct and closely related phrase.

tension was high

Replaces 'waiting' with 'tension', focusing on the feeling during the waiting period.

stakes were high

Emphasizes the importance of what was being waited for, shifting the focus slightly.

anxiety was high

Highlights the anxious feeling associated with waiting.

interest was keen

Focuses on the enthusiasm and eagerness during the waiting period.

eagerness was palpable

Describes the feeling of anticipation as easily noticeable.

suspense was thick

Emphasizes the feeling of uncertainty and excitement during the waiting period.

spirits were high

Highlights the positive mood while waiting.

demand was high

Focuses on the level of request or need for something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "waiting was high"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipation was high", "expectation was high", or "tension was high" depending on the context.

Is "waiting was high" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "waiting was high" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use phrases like "anticipation was high" or "the wait was long".

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

You can use "waiting" as a verb (e.g., "They are waiting for the bus") or as part of a noun phrase (e.g., "The waiting time is long"). Avoid using "waiting" in a way that suggests it can be "high".

What's the difference between "waiting was high" and "the wait was long"?

"Waiting was high" is not standard English. A better alternative is "the wait was long", which describes the duration of the waiting period. To convey anticipation, use "anticipation was high" instead.