without waiting for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without waiting for' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an action that is done without having to wait for someone or something first. For example, "He ran out of the house without waiting for a reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without waiting for the comm.

The New Yorker

Without waiting for my answer, he struck the drum.

The New Yorker

"But [Obama] can do these things without waiting for Congress".

The New York Times

He put himself into motion without waiting for an answer.

The New Yorker

Without waiting for a verdict, his board kicked him out.

The Economist

"Italy will work without waiting for European decisions," he said.

The New York Times

Some suppliers contact customers without waiting for a call.

The Economist

Huston laughed without waiting for anything to be said.

The New Yorker

(He goes on without waiting for an answer).

The New Yorker

Still, striking without waiting for reinforcements entails more risk.

The New York Times

He gave up without waiting for 42 Rb7.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without waiting for" to emphasize the proactive nature of an action. For example, "The company launched the product "without waiting for" final regulatory approval, demonstrating its confidence."

Common error

Avoid using "without waiting for" when the waiting period is essential or legally required. For instance, don't say "He signed the contract "without waiting for" legal review" if the review is a mandatory step.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without waiting for" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the temporal relationship between an action and a preceding event, emphasizing that the action occurs immediately and is not contingent on the completion of the prior event. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without waiting for" is a versatile prepositional phrase that indicates an action taken immediately, bypassing any expected delay or prerequisite. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to emphasize proactivity or urgency, appearing most frequently in news and media sources, but also commonly in academic and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure that the bypassed delay isn't legally or ethically required. Alternatives like "immediately after" or "without delay" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without delay

Directly addresses the absence of any waiting time.

right away

Emphasizes immediacy and quick action, foregoing any delay.

at once

Indicates that an action occurs promptly, without hesitation.

immediately after

Focuses on the temporal sequence, emphasizing that something happens right after another event, without any waiting period.

instantaneously

Highlights the speed of the action, suggesting it happens without any lapse in time.

forthwith

A formal way of saying immediately, stressing that action should be taken without any postponement.

beforehand

Suggests taking action in advance to prevent the need to wait.

expeditiously

Focuses on efficiency and speed in carrying out an action.

proactively

Implies taking initiative and acting in anticipation of a future need or event, eliminating the need to wait.

in short order

Indicates that something will be done quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without waiting for" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "immediately upon", "subsequent to", or "following directly after". These alternatives maintain a sense of immediacy while adding a layer of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "without waiting for" in writing?

Use "without waiting for" when you want to emphasize that an action was taken promptly and decisively, without any pause or delay. For instance, "The team implemented the changes "without delay" to address the critical security vulnerability."

What's the difference between "without waiting for" and "in anticipation of"?

"Without waiting for" implies that an action is taken immediately, disregarding a potential delay. "In anticipation of" suggests that an action is taken preemptively, expecting a future event. For example, "They started preparations "in anticipation of" the storm" versus "They began the cleanup "without waiting for" the storm to completely subside".

Are there situations where I should avoid using "without waiting for"?

Yes, avoid using "without waiting for" if the action requires permission, legal compliance, or a necessary process. For example, it would be inappropriate to say someone proceeded "without waiting for" the court's approval if such approval is legally required.