we would be waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we would be waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a future action that is conditional or dependent on another event or situation. Example: "If the train is delayed, we would be waiting for a long time at the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As dawn approached we would be waiting for the sunrise, waiting for those colours to just overwhelm us".

The Guardian - Music

There was a time when we would be waiting for the next Potter drama and when Pinter – Pinter, for God's sake! – would write for television.

Independent

"We sat in the dark for hours, with no heating, and initially they told us we would be waiting 50 minutes.

The Guardian - Business

V.H.: There was one fashion program that aired twice a year, and we would be waiting in front of the television in anticipation, but that was it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps we would be waiting six months for a mobile telephone, and paying the bills to the post office, headed by the Postmaster General – I don't believe it would be a very advanced telephone, either.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

On the other hand, if we waited to engage until they achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is we'd be waiting an awful long time".

The New York Times

"If we waited to engage until they had achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is that we'd be waiting an awful long time," Obama said of Myanmar.

Independent

"On the other hand, if we waited to engage until they had achieved a perfect democracy, my suspicion is we'd be waiting an awful long time.

The Guardian

When I was growing up, on Friday nights Evel Knievel would be jumping things and we'd be waiting to see if he died.

The Guardian

"He would get home around 6 p.m. and we'd be waiting to get out there," said Bob, who became a physician after his amateur and professional ski racing career ended.

The New York Times - Sports

We'd be waiting for them and talking to them and I was deeply touched by the stories, the drama that they were going through in order to help their families".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "we would be waiting" with stronger verbs like "anticipate" or "expect" to convey a more proactive sense of expectation, if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "we would be waiting" when a simple future tense ("we will be waiting") is more appropriate. The 'would' form implies a condition or hypothetical scenario, not a definite future action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we would be waiting" primarily functions as a conditional continuous verb phrase. It indicates a future action that is dependent on a specific condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct phrase that expresses a future action that is conditional or dependent on another event or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we would be waiting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express anticipation or expectation in a conditional or hypothetical future scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often found in News & Media contexts and is used to indicate an action contingent on a specific condition. When writing, ensure that the conditional aspect is clear and consider alternatives like "we'd be anticipating" or "we would await" if a stronger or more formal tone is desired. Avoid confusing it with the simple future tense, which expresses a definite future action rather than a conditional one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we'd be anticipating

Uses 'anticipating' instead of 'waiting', implying a stronger sense of expectation.

we would await

Replaces 'be waiting' with the more formal 'await', altering the tone slightly.

we'd be expecting

Substitutes 'waiting' with 'expecting', focusing on the certainty of an event.

we'd anticipate

A more concise version using 'anticipate' instead of 'be waiting'.

we would be standing by

Emphasizes readiness and preparedness for a specific event.

we would be looking out for

Implies vigilance and active observation while waiting.

we would be prepared

Shifts the focus to readiness rather than the act of waiting.

we'd be in readiness

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a state of preparedness.

we'd hold on

Implies holding on a certain situation, which means waiting

we'd remain on standby

Replaces waiting with a state of operational readiness.

FAQs

How can I use "we would be waiting" in a sentence?

Use "we would be waiting" to express a future action that is conditional or dependent on another event. For example: "If the train is delayed, "we would be waiting" for a long time at the station."

What's the difference between "we would be waiting" and "we will be waiting"?

"We would be waiting" implies a condition, while "we will be waiting" expresses a definite future action. If the train is delayed, we would be waiting. We will be waiting at the station at 8 PM.

What can I say instead of "we would be waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "we'd be anticipating", "we would await", or "we'd be expecting" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we would be waiting"?

It's appropriate when describing a hypothetical or conditional situation in the future. For example, "If the negotiations fail, "we would be waiting" for further instructions".