we were awaiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were awaiting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that happened in the past and is now completed. Example: We were awaiting the arrival of the guests when the phone rang.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The verdict we were awaiting didn't turn out well.

The New York Times

While we were awaiting the dinner, which was to… Reprinted excerpt from a PROFILE which ran: November 9 , 1957

The New Yorker

Suddenly, I sensed that a man whom I had taken to be a bodyguard and whom I had never seen was the one we were awaiting.

The New York Times

Germany was in a state of collapse, turmoil and utter confusion, and here we were awaiting the arrivals of our Allied conquerors.

The New York Times

I recall preparing two different front pages and two separate four-page pullouts for the Daily Star in 1979 when we were awaiting the verdict of the Jeremy Thorpe trial.

The Guardian

While we were awaiting the dinner, which was to be served to us in the room, he supplied me with a large vodka on the rocks and poured himself the merest courtesy sip.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We are awaiting that".

The Guardian

We are awaiting an answer.

The Washington Post

We are awaiting a response.

The Washington Post

We are awaiting their decision".

The New York Times

We are awaiting Hull response".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were awaiting" to convey a sense of anticipation or expectation, particularly when the event or outcome is known but the exact timing is uncertain. For example: "We were awaiting the test results with bated breath."

Common error

Avoid using "awaiting" when simply describing the act of waiting without a specific expectation. "Awaiting" implies a known event or outcome is expected. For instance, it's more appropriate to say "We were waiting at the bus stop" rather than "We were awaiting at the bus stop."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were awaiting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes a state of anticipating or expecting something at a particular time in the past. Ludwig examples and the Ludwig AI confirm its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were awaiting" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express anticipation or expectation in the past continuous tense. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile, it's essential to distinguish it from simply "waiting" as "awaiting" implies a specific expected outcome. It's commonly found in neutral and journalistic sources, but can also be found in business contexts. Consider alternatives like "we had been anticipating" or "we were expecting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had been anticipating

Uses "anticipating" instead of "awaiting", implying a stronger sense of expectation.

we anticipated

A more concise and slightly more formal way of expressing the same idea.

we had been waiting for

Focuses on the act of waiting rather than the anticipation of something.

we were expecting

More general term for expecting something to happen, losing the sense of waiting.

we were looking forward to

Expresses a positive sentiment of eagerness, while "awaiting" is more neutral.

we were in expectation of

More formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "we were expecting".

we were standing by for

Suggests readiness and preparedness for an event.

we watched for

Implies observation while waiting, adding a visual element.

we were prepared for

Indicates readiness but lacks the sense of anticipation.

we were on the lookout for

Suggests a vigilant search while waiting.

FAQs

How can I use "we were awaiting" in a sentence?

The phrase "we were awaiting" is used to express that you and others were anticipating or expecting something. For example, "We were awaiting the verdict in the case."

What's the difference between "we were awaiting" and "we were expecting"?

While both phrases convey anticipation, "we were awaiting" often implies a more passive state of waiting for something specific. "We were expecting" can be broader and refer to anticipating a general outcome. You can consider "we had been anticipating" as an alternative.

What can I say instead of "we were awaiting"?

You can use alternatives like "we had been waiting for", "we were looking forward to", or "we anticipated" depending on the context.

Is "we are awaiting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we are awaiting" is grammatically correct, but it refers to the present continuous tense. "We were awaiting" refers to the past continuous tense, indicating that you were anticipating something at a specific time in the past.