will wait

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will wait" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to express a sense of anticipation or promise of future action. For example: "I'll let you know when it's finished - I will wait."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She will wait.

The New Yorker

"We will wait".

The New Yorker

So he will wait.

The New York Times - Sports

So football will wait.

The Guardian - Sport

The roses will wait.

The Guardian

The driver will wait".

The New York Times

Says he will wait.

The Guardian

I will wait.

The Guardian - Opinion

I will wait for you".

The Economist

We will wait and see".

The New York Times - Sports

We will wait for them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will wait" to clearly express a future intention to remain in place or delay action until a specific event or time.

Common error

Avoid using "will wait" when referring to a past action; use "waited" instead. For example, instead of "He will wait yesterday", use "He waited yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will wait" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a future action or intention. It expresses a decision or plan to remain in a certain state or place until a specified condition is met. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is commonly used to express expectation or patience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will wait" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a future intention to remain in place or delay action. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use it to indicate a future action, and avoid using it to describe something that has already occurred. By understanding its proper tense and choosing appropriate alternatives, you can effectively communicate the nuances of delay and expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will remain patient

Emphasizes the virtue of patience during the waiting period.

anticipate a delay

Highlights the expectation of a delay rather than the act of waiting itself.

expect to hold off

Focuses on postponing an action or decision until a later time.

shall hold back

Implies a deliberate restraint from acting until the right moment.

shall bide

More formal and archaic, implying patience and acceptance of delay.

are going to stall

Suggests intentionally delaying progress, sometimes with negative connotations.

intend to defer

Indicates a formal decision to postpone something to a future date.

intend to tarry

Suggests a deliberate and planned delay, often with a specific purpose.

foresee an interval

More formal, indicating an expected period of time before something happens.

plan to linger

Implies a more relaxed and less urgent form of waiting, often for enjoyment.

FAQs

How can I use "will wait" in a sentence?

Use "will wait" to express a future intention to remain in place or delay action. For example, "I "will wait" for you at the entrance" or "They "will wait" until the rain stops".

What are some alternatives to "will wait"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shall bide", "intend to tarry", or "plan to linger", each carrying slightly different nuances of delay and expectation.

Is it correct to say "will waiting"?

No, "will waiting" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""will wait"", using the base form of the verb after the modal verb "will".

What's the difference between "will wait" and "waiting"?

"Will wait" indicates a future action, while "waiting" (e.g., "is waiting") describes a present continuous action. For example, "He "will wait"" suggests he intends to wait in the future, whereas "He is waiting" means he is currently in the process of waiting.