was waiting on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was waiting on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is in a state of anticipation or expectation regarding something or someone. Example: "She was waiting on the results of her job interview, feeling both anxious and hopeful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Yeah, we had a guy in here who was waiting on $25 bail," said one correction officer.

The New York Times - Magazine

The one everybody was waiting on.

The Guardian

I was waiting on Grant.

Cornell University

Christine Flynn, 21, was waiting on tables.

The New York Times

Recently she was waiting on tables when her BlackBerry rang.

The New York Times

Another 200,000 tons was waiting on the dock.

The New York Times

Elvia was waiting on the top step of the bus.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's what everyone in Newton was waiting on," he says.

The New York Times

Sinyavsky reunited with the woman who was waiting on the other side.

Stanford University

The donor's body was waiting on a table in a spacious O.R.

The New Yorker

His wife, who had not wanted him to make the flight, was waiting on the tarmac.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was waiting on" to clearly convey that someone or something is in a state of anticipation or expectation. Consider the context to determine if a more formal synonym like "was awaiting" is appropriate.

Common error

Ensure the object being waited for is clear to avoid confusion. For example, instead of saying "He was waiting on," specify "He was waiting on the bus" or "He was waiting on her reply."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was waiting on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of anticipation or expectation. It describes an action of waiting for something or someone, often implying a degree of dependency or service. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was waiting on" is a versatile verb phrase used to express anticipation or expectation, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in tone, synonyms like "was awaiting" can add formality. Remember to clarify the object of waiting to avoid ambiguity. This phrase effectively conveys a state of readiness or dependency on an external event or person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was awaiting

Formal synonym, implying a more passive state of waiting.

was expecting

Focuses more on the anticipation of someone or something's arrival or occurrence.

was anticipating

Highlights the act of looking forward to something, often with excitement or concern.

was in expectation of

More formal and emphasizes the state of expectancy.

was standing by for

Suggests readiness and preparedness for something to happen.

was on standby for

Similar to "standing by", indicating a state of alert and readiness.

was looking out for

Implies vigilance and attentiveness while waiting.

was keeping an eye out for

Similar to "looking out for", adding a sense of watchfulness.

was prepared for

Focuses on readiness to face a certain event or person.

was ready for

Simple and direct, indicating a state of preparedness.

FAQs

How do I use "was waiting on" in a sentence?

Use "was waiting on" to indicate that someone was anticipating or expecting something or someone. For example, "She "was waiting on the results" of her exam."

What's the difference between "was waiting on" and "was waiting for"?

While similar, "was waiting on" can sometimes imply a sense of providing service or attention, as in "He "was waiting on tables"." "Was waiting for" is more general and simply indicates anticipation.

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

You can use alternatives like "was awaiting", "was expecting", or "was anticipating" depending on the context.

Is "was waiting on" formal or informal?

"Was waiting on" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although "was awaiting" might be preferred in more formal settings.