while we are waiting for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while we are waiting for" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something must take place before something else takes place. For example: "While we are waiting for the bus, let's grab a cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

To accommodate those with disabilities should be a priority WHILE we are waiting for the "cure" or other medical treatments for research to find.

Huffington Post

In the UK, while we are waiting for strawberries and then stone fruits to come, spring ushers in passion fruit and mangoes from India and Pakistan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

CLAIM: Running very fast in circles around my legs while we are waiting for your mother by the baggage claim will hurry her arrival.

The New Yorker

"While we are waiting for our politicians to take action and decide what to do, we showed that Afghans are not incapable of protecting their country".

The New York Times

12.49pm BST While we are waiting for the full text, here's some snippets to keep you warm: I both understand and share their frustration.

The Guardian - Sport

While we are waiting for the Republicans to clean up their thinking, then, we might as well spend our time discussing the fundamental matter.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We lived in a hotel with my mother while we were waiting for an apartment.

The Guardian

While we're waiting for that, here's Jaws without the excitement, or the humour.

The Guardian - Film

While we were waiting for them to arrive, I met a British grower named Richard Harnden.

The New Yorker

While we're waiting for Obama, the White House website has these excerpts from his speech.

The Guardian

The scientific jury is still out, but while we're waiting for an answer, there are two alternatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while we are waiting for" to clearly indicate that an action or event is contingent on something else happening first. This helps to establish a logical sequence of events for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "while we are waiting for" in very simple sentences where a more concise word like "until" or "before" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while we are waiting for" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies the time during which another action occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while we are waiting for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used temporal conjunction that indicates a period of anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively links an ongoing activity with a future event. While versatile, consider using more concise alternatives like "until" or "before" in simpler sentences to avoid wordiness. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources but is acceptable across various contexts. To enhance clarity and conciseness in your writing, ensure its use is purposeful and contextually appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while awaiting

A more concise and slightly more formal way of saying "while we are waiting for".

as we await

This alternative is more concise and formal, emphasizing the act of waiting.

pending the arrival of

This phrase is more specific and emphasizes the expectation of something arriving.

until we receive

This version stresses that the waiting period is until something tangible is received.

in anticipation of

This alternative focuses on the excitement or expectation associated with waiting.

as we stand by for

This implies a state of readiness or alertness during the waiting period.

during the pause before

This is more descriptive and emphasizes the break before an event.

in the interim

This phrase focuses on filling the time during the wait.

beforehand

A simpler term that indicates something happens before another event, omitting the concept of waiting.

prior to

Formal alternative indicating something happening before an event; less focused on the act of waiting.

FAQs

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

You can use "while we are waiting for" to indicate that something else will happen after a period of waiting. For instance, "While we are waiting for the rain to stop, let's read a book."

What can I say instead of "while we are waiting for"?

You can use alternatives like "as we await", "pending the arrival of", or "in anticipation of depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "whilst we are waiting for" instead of "while we are waiting for"?

"Whilst we are waiting for" is grammatically correct and has the same meaning as "while we are waiting for", but it's considered more formal and less common in modern English. You can use "while we are waiting for" for broader use.

What is the difference between "while we wait for" and "while we are waiting for"?

"While we wait for" and "while we are waiting for" are both correct. The first one uses the simple present tense and describes a habitual or general action, while the second one uses the present continuous tense and describes a specific action happening now.