was awaiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was awaiting' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that someone was expecting something and was waiting to receive it. Example Sentence: She was awaiting the arrival of her brother.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he was awaiting necropsy results.

The New York Times

Ms. Crawford was awaiting arraignment Sunday evening.

The New York Times

The field marshal was awaiting his lunch.

The New Yorker

He was awaiting arraignment last night.

The New York Times

Mr. Cimmino was awaiting arraignment yesterday evening.

The New York Times

I was awaiting a "green light" on an animated film.

The New York Times

Mr. Wright was awaiting arraignment on Sunday night.

The New York Times

The settlement was awaiting approval by a federal judge.

The New York Times

Woodson said he was awaiting word from the medical staff.

The New York Times - Sports

But something other than his package was awaiting him.

The New York Times

A network was awaiting him in New Hampshire.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To specify a certain time frame, it is better to add some specification, such as: "was awaiting a response by next Tuesday"

Common error

Avoid using "was awaiting" when the context implies active effort to obtain something. "Searching for" or "pursuing" are more appropriate when actions are being taken to find or achieve a goal, rather than passively waiting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was awaiting" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action in the past. It describes a state of expecting or waiting for something to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was awaiting" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a state of anticipation or expectation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It typically appears in news and media, and science contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the past tense and appropriately conveys a passive state of waiting rather than active seeking. Consider alternatives like "was expecting" or "was anticipating" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase's frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was anticipating

Emphasizes a stronger sense of expectation or excitement.

was expecting

A more general term for believing something will happen.

was anticipating the arrival of

More specific about the thing being awaited and uses a noun phrase instead of a verb.

was looking forward to

Implies pleasure or excitement about something in the future.

was in expectation of

More formal and emphasizes the anticipation itself.

was on the lookout for

Suggests active observation while waiting.

was prepared for

Emphasizes readiness rather than anticipation.

was standing by for

Suggests a state of readiness to act when something happens.

was braced for

Implies preparing for something unpleasant or difficult.

was lying in wait for

Suggests a hidden or secretive form of anticipation, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "was awaiting" in a sentence?

Use "was awaiting" to describe someone or something in a state of waiting or expecting something to happen or arrive. For example, "She "was awaiting" the test results".

What are some alternatives to saying "was awaiting"?

You can use alternatives such as "was expecting", "was anticipating", or "was looking forward to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is awaiting" instead of "was awaiting"?

The correct tense depends on the time frame you're referring to. Use "is awaiting" for present tense and "was awaiting" for past tense. For example, "He is awaiting the doctor" vs "He "was awaiting" the doctor".

What's the difference between "awaiting" and "waiting for"?

"Awaiting" is a more formal synonym for "waiting for". While both express the same concept, "awaiting" often appears in more formal or written contexts. For example, "She "was awaiting" his call" is slightly more formal than "She was waiting for his call".