years of waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"years of waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase can be used when referring to a period of time that someone has spent waiting or expecting something. For example, "After many years of waiting, her dream finally came true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The years of waiting were wrenching.

The New York Times

After years of waiting, nothing came.

The Guardian - Sport

"These have been long years of waiting".

The Guardian

The fights were, trust me, worth the years of waiting.

Independent

After five years of waiting, however, patience is wearing thin.

The Guardian - Business

But it was years of waiting, death threats".

The New York Times

a) there's too many years of waiting for a return on investment.

University of California, Berkeley

It's been three years of waiting for the morning after, and we still are waiting.

Harvard University

They now are facing many more months, or even years, of waiting.

The New York Times

Egypt is nonetheless impatient, after 15 years of waiting, to see some progress.

The Economist

"Seven years of waiting and friendship, that was the hard part".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "years of waiting", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being waited for. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Don't use "years of waiting" without specifying the object or event being awaited. For instance, instead of saying "After years of waiting, something happened", specify what they were waiting for: "After years of waiting for the new product, it finally launched".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "years of waiting" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "years of waiting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a prolonged period of anticipation or delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, often conveying the duration and experience of waiting, suitable for neutral registers. To enhance clarity, always specify what is being waited for. While versatile, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, highlighting real-world events and situations involving significant waiting periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended period of anticipation

Emphasizes the anticipation aspect over the duration.

long stretch of expectancy

Highlights the continuous nature of expectation.

protracted time of delay

Focuses on the delay experienced during the waiting period.

lengthy period of postponement

Similar to delay, but suggests a more formal or official postponement.

drawn-out interval of expectation

Emphasizes the extended and often tedious nature of waiting.

enduring years of anticipation

Highlights the perseverance through the years of anticipation.

considerable time in abeyance

Indicates a state of temporary inactivity or suspension.

a significant wait

A more concise way to express a long waiting time.

long-term anticipation

Similar to "years of waiting" but could apply to future anticipation too.

protracted intermission

Focuses on the interruption and suspension while waiting.

FAQs

How can I use "years of waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "years of waiting" to describe a prolonged period of anticipation before an event. For example, "After "years of waiting", the project was finally approved".

What are some alternatives to "years of waiting"?

Alternatives include "extended period of anticipation", "long stretch of expectancy", or "protracted time of delay", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Check the "extended period of anticipation" meaning here.

Is it correct to say "year of waiting" instead of "years of waiting"?

While "year of waiting" is grammatically correct, it refers to a single year. Use "years of waiting" when referring to a period longer than one year.

What's the difference between "years of waiting" and "years of anticipation"?

"Years of waiting" emphasizes the act of waiting itself, while "years of anticipation" highlights the excitement and expectation during that time. The alternative phrase "years of anticipation" focuses on the emotional state.