was kept waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was kept waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone had to wait for a period of time, often implying that the waiting was unnecessary or frustrating. Example: "I arrived at the meeting on time, but I was kept waiting for over an hour before anyone showed up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He was kept waiting outside considerably longer than Larry.

The Guardian

When I got there I was kept waiting and waiting in the ward.

Independent

Full stop," he said, but declined to say how long the former president was kept waiting.

The New York Times

The cardinal was kept waiting in his hotel for four days.

The Economist

Once, she was kept waiting on a gurney, in a hallway, for hours.

The New Yorker

She was kept waiting for hours on end for job interviews.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

His prospective new client, of course, is kept waiting.

The New York Times

The Turks have been kept waiting for decades.

The Economist

Those ships cannot be kept waiting for a berth.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, he would have been kept waiting a long time.

The Economist

Patients were kept waiting while sales representatives were whisked in.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use other forms of "was kept waiting" depending on context and aspect: 'is being kept waiting', 'had been kept waiting', etc

Common error

Avoid using "was keep waiting"; the correct form is "was kept waiting". Remember that "keep" is an irregular verb, and its past participle is "kept".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was kept waiting" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone experienced a delay caused by an external factor. Ludwig shows many examples where individuals or entities are subjected to waiting, often due to someone else's actions or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was kept waiting" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone experienced a delay. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in news and media, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, consider the implication of inconvenience or frustration it carries. For alternatives, "was made to wait" or "was left waiting" offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was made to wait

Emphasizes the action of someone causing the wait.

was left waiting

Highlights the feeling of abandonment during the waiting period.

had to wait

A more general and neutral way to express waiting.

experienced a delay

Focuses on the delay itself rather than the person waiting.

was held up

Suggests an unforeseen obstacle caused the waiting.

was delayed

Similar to "experienced a delay", but more directly related to the person.

was stalled

Implies a more forceful or intentional stoppage.

was marking time

Implies waiting is unproductive.

was killing time

Indicates an effort to pass the time while waiting.

was cooling his heels

An idiomatic expression for waiting, often impatiently.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was kept waiting"?

You can use alternatives such as "was made to wait", "was left waiting", or simply "had to wait" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was kept waiting" or "was made to wait"?

"Was kept waiting" and "was made to wait" are very similar. "Was kept waiting" often implies a sense of prolonged or unnecessary waiting, while "was made to wait" emphasizes the action of someone causing the wait.

Can I use "was kept waiting" in formal writing?

Yes, "was kept waiting" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "experienced a delay" or "was delayed" to sound more professional.

What's the difference between "was kept waiting" and "waited"?

"Waited" is a simple statement of fact, whereas "was kept waiting" implies that the waiting was prolonged, unnecessary, or caused inconvenience. It adds a layer of frustration or passivity to the situation.