we waited for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we waited for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where you or a group of people are anticipating or expecting something or someone. Example: "We waited for the bus to arrive, hoping it wouldn't be late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We waited for the question.

The New Yorker

We waited for the mayor.

The New York Times

We waited for more.

The New York Times

We waited for him to see us.

The New Yorker

We waited for three hours.

The Guardian - Sport

We waited for four days".

The Guardian

We waited for 20 minutes.

The Guardian - Travel

"We waited for them until evening.

The Guardian

We waited for applications to come," he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We waited for about a week, and it was approved.

The New York Times

"We waited for this for years and years".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "we waited for" with stronger verbs like "anticipated" or "expected" to add nuance to your writing and avoid repetitive sentence structures.

Common error

Avoid using "we waited for" when the action was passive or unintentional. Use it to clearly indicate an active choice to postpone an action until a specific event or condition occurred. For example, instead of saying "We waited for the rain to stop before starting the hike", rather state "We postponed the hike until the rain stopped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we waited for" serves as a verbal phrase indicating a period of anticipation or expectation. It highlights the act of delaying action or attention until a specific event, person, or condition appears. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in various contexts, such as waiting for events, people, or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we waited for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express anticipation or expectation of an event, person, or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider the nuance you want to convey. Stronger verbs like "we anticipated" or "we expected" might be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. Be aware of the situations where "we waited on" could be confused with "we waited for", as they carry different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated

Replaces "waited for" with a more formal verb suggesting expectation.

we expected

Similar to anticipated, but implies a stronger belief in the likelihood of something happening.

we looked forward to

Indicates a positive feeling about what was expected.

we were awaiting

A more formal and passive way of saying "we waited for".

we were ready for

Emphasizes preparedness rather than anticipation.

we were prepared for

Highlights the state of readiness for something to happen.

we kept watch for

Implies vigilance and careful observation while waiting.

we bided our time for

Suggests waiting patiently for the right moment.

we marked time until

Indicates passing time while waiting for something specific.

we cooled our heels until

Implies enforced waiting, usually due to someone else's delay.

FAQs

How can I use "we waited for" in a sentence?

The phrase "we waited for" is used to express anticipation or expectation. For example, "We waited for the train to arrive" or "We waited for the results of the election".

What can I say instead of "we waited for"?

You can use alternatives like "we anticipated", "we expected", or "we looked forward to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we waited on" instead of "we waited for"?

While "we waited for" implies anticipation, "we waited on" typically means we served someone. Ensure you're using the correct preposition to convey your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "we waited for" and "we were waiting for"?

"We waited for" suggests a completed action of waiting, while "we were waiting for" implies the waiting process was ongoing at a specific point in time.