we waited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we waited" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a past action where a group of people paused or delayed their activity. Example: "We waited for the bus to arrive." Alternative expressions include "we lingered" and "we paused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We waited.

The New York Times - Travel

So we waited.

The New Yorker

"We waited long enough.

The New York Times

We waited another hour.

The New Yorker

And so we waited.

The New Yorker

We waited in line.

The New York Times

We looked, we waited.

The New Yorker

Then we waited.

The New York Times

We waited in the cold.

The New Yorker

We waited for the question.

The New Yorker

We waited for the mayor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine it with specific time markers like "for an hour" or "until dawn" to give the reader a concrete sense of duration.

Common error

Do not pair "we waited" with phrases that already imply a delay, such as "we waited and stayed there until later". Simply stating "we waited until later" is more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we waited" is a standard subject-verb construction in the simple past tense. It functions as a declarative statement indicating that a group (first-person plural) spent time in a state of expectation or inactivity. Ludwig AI data shows it often anchors narrative sequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we waited" is an essential and highly frequent component of English narrative writing. According to Ludwig AI, it appears consistently in prestigious publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times to establish pacing and anticipation. It is grammatically robust and serves as a neutral, clear way to describe a collective delay. Whether used in scientific reports to describe experimental intervals or in journalism to build suspense, it remains a reliable choice for writers. For greater variety, consider alternatives like "<a href="/s/we+lingered" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we lingered" or "<a href="/s/we+anticipated" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we anticipated" depending on your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were waiting

uses the past continuous to emphasize the duration or ongoing nature of the act

we stayed put

emphasizes remaining in a specific location during the interval

we lingered

suggests staying longer than necessary out of choice or reluctance to leave

we stood by

indicates being ready to act while waiting

we paused

implies a temporary or brief cessation of activity

we remained

a more formal way to describe staying in a place or state

we anticipated

focuses more on the mental expectation of an event rather than the physical act of waiting

we bided our time

conveys a strategic or patient wait for a specific opportunity

we delayed

suggests a deliberate choice to postpone an action

we held our breath

idiomatic expression for waiting in extreme suspense

FAQs

How to use "we waited" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a past collective experience, such as: "We waited for the results all afternoon." or "We waited in silence until the speaker arrived."

What can I say instead of "we waited"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "<a href="/s/we+lingered" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we lingered", "<a href="/s/stood+by" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stood by" or "<a href="/s/we+remained" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we remained".

What is the difference between "we waited" and "we were waiting"?

While both are correct, "we waited" focuses on the completed action in the past, whereas "<a href="/s/we+were+waiting" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we were waiting" emphasizes the continuous duration of the time spent.

Is it correct to say "we waited on"?

Yes, but it changes the meaning. "<a href="/s/we+waited+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we waited on" usually refers to serving someone (like in a restaurant) or awaiting a specific decision, while "we waited" is more general.