was forced to wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was forced to wait" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone had no choice but to remain in a state of waiting, often due to external circumstances. Example: "After the flight was delayed for several hours, passengers were forced to wait in the terminal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Robinson said she was forced to wait outside for four hours during the officers' search.

The Washington Post

Ms. Bryant was forced to wait until another night to tell her story.

The New York Times

Mr. Franks was forced to wait his turn behind a closed door in an adjoining office.

The New York Times

If Rubio waited until 2012 or was forced to wait because of a lockout, he could earn considerably more.

The New York Times

But he was forced to wait, to endure close losses in many majors, including the last four Masters.

The New York Times - Sports

After several days' delay, he was able to travel to Flushing, where he was forced to wait.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the meantime, she said, she was forced to wait two to three hours every other day to be examined by a camp doctor.

Princeton University

He was forced to wait three months for his United debut as he needed intensive treatment on a long-standing back complaint.

Independent

Julia Dobrokhotova, my friend and the mother of two small children, was forced to wait until two in the morning to file her report.

The New Yorker

Only too late did Murray start his semi - and when the rain came he was forced to wait another day to complete it.

The Guardian - Sport

The Chihuahua, Ren, was forced to wait in the car, a fact that did not contribute to peaceful relations in the family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was forced to wait" to clearly indicate a lack of agency in the waiting process, highlighting external factors or coercion. For example, "Due to the weather conditions, the flight crew was forced to wait for clearance before takeoff".

Common error

While "was forced to wait" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using active voice when appropriate to create a more engaging and direct tone. For example, instead of "The decision was forced to wait due to legal challenges", you could say "Legal challenges delayed the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was forced to wait" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something was compelled to remain in a state of waiting due to external circumstances or obligations. Ludwig examples show usage in various contexts where external factors caused unavoidable delays.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was forced to wait" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe situations where someone or something had no choice but to remain in a state of waiting. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and wiki sources. While grammatically sound, remember to avoid overuse of the passive voice and consider using active voice for a more direct tone. When using alternatives like "had to wait" or "was made to wait", consider the subtle differences in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had to wait

More direct and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

was made to wait

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the external agent causing the wait.

was kept waiting

Highlights that someone or something caused the waiting.

had no choice but to wait

Highlights the lack of alternatives, emphasizing the necessity of waiting.

was obliged to wait

More formal and emphasizes a sense of duty or requirement to wait.

was compelled to wait

Emphasizes that the waiting was unavoidable and necessary.

was required to wait

Similar to 'was obliged to wait', indicating a formal requirement.

found himself waiting

Focuses on the experience of waiting from the subject's perspective.

was held up

Less formal and implies a delay due to unforeseen circumstances.

endured a delay

Focuses on the act of experiencing the delay rather than being forced to do so.

FAQs

How can I use "was forced to wait" in a sentence?

Use "was forced to wait" to describe situations where someone or something had no other option but to remain in a state of waiting due to external factors or compulsion. For example, "The passengers "were forced to wait" inside the aircraft after landing due to the traffic on the runaway".

What are some alternatives to "was forced to wait"?

Alternatives include "had to wait", "was made to wait", "was obliged to wait", or "was compelled to wait". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was forced to wait"?

While "was forced to wait" is in the passive voice, it's appropriate when you want to emphasize the action of waiting and the external forces causing it. Using active voice may be more direct, but it shifts the focus. For example, instead of "The team "was forced to wait"", you could say "The weather delayed the team's departure".

What's the difference between "was forced to wait" and "had to wait"?

"Was forced to wait" implies a stronger external compulsion than "had to wait". "Had to wait" simply suggests a necessity, while "was forced to wait" suggests that the person or thing had no other choice due to some external force or authority.