we were waiting for

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were waiting for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone was expecting or hoping for something to happen. For example, "We were waiting for news from the doctor, but the call never came."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were waiting for that.

The New Yorker

"We were waiting for hours.

The New York Times - Sports

After all, we were waiting for pie!

The New York Times

We were waiting for God's voice!

The New York Times - Travel

We were waiting for it".

The Guardian

We were waiting for them.

The Guardian - Sport

This is what we were waiting for.

The Guardian

We were waiting for the right time".

The New York Times - Style

We were waiting for a white guy.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we were waiting for that".

The Guardian - Travel

1 20 p.m.: Ah, here's what we were waiting for.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were waiting for" to clearly indicate a period of anticipation before an event or outcome. For example, "We were waiting for the rain to stop before continuing our hike."

Common error

Avoid using "we are waiting for" when referring to a past event. "We were waiting for" correctly places the action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were waiting for" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a state of anticipation or expectation for a specific event, person, or object. It indicates a past continuous action. As Ludwig examples confirm, the phrase commonly introduces the object of expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were waiting for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express past anticipation or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, with occasional use in scientific and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure the tense aligns with the timeframe you're describing. For alternatives, consider "we anticipated" or "we expected" for slightly different nuances. Remember to use "we were waiting for" when you're referring to an action that was happening in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we expected

A direct synonym, focusing on belief that something would occur.

we were anticipating

Uses the continuous form of "anticipate", adding a sense of ongoing expectation.

we anticipated

Replaces "waiting" with a more formal verb, implying expectation.

we had been awaiting

Emphasizes the duration of the waiting period.

we looked forward to

Expresses a positive expectation or pleasure in anticipation.

we were prepared for

Highlights readiness or preparedness for an event.

we were watching for

Implies observing carefully for something to happen.

we were on the lookout for

Indicates actively searching or expecting something's appearance.

we were in expectation of

A more formal way of expressing anticipation.

we were counting on

Implies relying on something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "we were waiting for" in a sentence?

Use "we were waiting for" to describe a past period of anticipation, such as "We were waiting for the bus, but it never arrived".

What can I say instead of "we were waiting for"?

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

Which is correct, "we were waiting for" or "we are waiting for"?

"We were waiting for" is used for past events, while "we are waiting for" is used for present or future anticipation. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're describing.

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

"We were waiting for" describes a continuous action in the past, while "we had been waiting for" emphasizes the duration of the waiting period before another event occurred.