while we were waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while we were waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or situation that occurred during a period of waiting. Example: "While we were waiting for the bus, we decided to grab a coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While we were waiting, we had our first fortunate encounter.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Listen, Or," said Laura, while we were waiting.

The New York Times

While we were waiting, we took in the surroundings.

The New York Times - Arts

While we were waiting, we went for a walk.

The Guardian - Travel

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

The New Yorker

While we were waiting at the departure gate, Michael was entertaining us with some fascinating stories.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

They weren't quite ready; Unni asked if we wanted something to drink while we were waiting.

The New Yorker

She contracted a virus and nearly died while we were waiting.

The New York Times

Then, at the end of the night, while we were waiting for cabs, he offered me his coat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure to avoid overuse of "while we were waiting". Consider alternatives like "as we waited" or "during our wait" for more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid placing the "while we were waiting" clause in a way that creates a dangling modifier. Ensure the subject of the main clause is clearly connected to the waiting action. For example, instead of saying 'While we were waiting, the concert hall was admired,' say 'While we were waiting, we admired the concert hall'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while we were waiting" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action in the main clause occurred. It indicates that the action described in the main clause happened during the period of waiting, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while we were waiting" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to provide temporal context, typically found in neutral registers across various sources, predominantly in news and media. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase effectively introduces events occurring during a period of anticipation. For more concise alternatives, consider "as we waited" or "during our wait", but be mindful of avoiding misplaced modifiers to ensure clarity in your writing. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides diverse examples for proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we waited

A more concise and direct way of saying the same thing, omitting "were" for brevity.

during our wait

This phrase uses a noun form instead of a clause, creating a more compact expression.

whilst we were awaiting

A more formal alternative, replacing "while" with "whilst" and "waiting" with "awaiting".

while standing by

A shorter, less common version of the original.

as we stood by

Emphasizes the act of standing and being present during the waiting period.

during the period of waiting

A more descriptive and slightly more formal way to phrase the original.

in the interim

Focuses on the time between events, rather than the act of waiting itself.

in the meantime

Similar to "in the interim", but with a slightly different connotation of time passing.

as we idled

Highlights the inactivity associated with waiting.

pending the event

Focuses on the event that is being waited for, rather than the act of waiting.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "while we were waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "as we waited", "during our wait", or "in the meantime" depending on the context.

Is "while we were waiting" formal or informal?

The phrase "while we were waiting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "whilst we were awaiting" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

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

You can use "while we were waiting" to introduce a situation or action that occurred during a period of waiting. For example, "While we were waiting for the train, we read a book".

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

Both phrases are similar, but "as we waited" is more concise and direct, while "while we were waiting" provides slightly more emphasis on the duration of the waiting period. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.