What’s the difference between awaiting and waiting? Awaiting is the present participle of the verb “await” and is a transitive verb that needs an object, while waiting is the present participle form of the verb “wait” and is an intransitive verb that can be used with or without an object.
While both words have similar definitions from the verb wait, they differ in usage. Furthermore, awaiting doesn’t need the preposition “for” while waiting typically needs “for.”
When to Use Awaiting
We use awaiting as the present participle of the verb “await.” Await is a verb that means “to wait for or be awaiting for something.” “Is awaiting,” “was awaiting,” and “have been awaiting” are some examples of awaiting as a present participle form of “await.”
Also, awaiting is a transitive verb, so it needs an object to go with it to be grammatically correct.
✅ We say: “The court is awaiting the decision.” (“decision” is the object)
❌ We don’t say: “The court is awaiting.” (there’s no object, so it’s incorrect)
Moreover, it’s important to remember that there’s no need to add the preposition “for” when using awaiting, as it would become redundant.
✅ We say: “The court is awaiting the decision.”
❌ We don’t say: “The court is awaiting for the decision.”
Another definition of the verb “await” is “if something awaits you, it will happen to you.” This definition can only be used in a sentence using passive voice, where the subject is acted upon and the “doer” of the action is placed in the object.
Active voice: I am waiting a new fate.
Passive voice: A new fate is awaiting me.
Awaiting is a Transitive Verb
To wait for something
We’re awaiting the results of the trial.
My friends told me that they were awaiting an announcement.
The members are awaiting the conference.
If something awaits you, it will happen to you
A surprise gift from the groom is awaiting the bride.
One more trial is awaiting him.
A piece of shocking news was awaiting the Byrde family at home. It made them feel nauseous.
When to Use Waiting
We use waiting as the present participle of the verb “wait.” To wait means “staying somewhere or not doing something until something happens.” Additionally, it can also mean expecting something to happen in the future that hasn’t happened or arrived yet. “Is waiting,” “had been awaiting,” and “were awaiting” are some examples of using waiting as a present participle form of “wait.”
Additionally, waiting is also an intransitive verb, so it’s grammatically correct whether it has or doesn’t have an object to go with it. For example, we can say “I am waiting” and “I am waiting for her”; these sentences are grammatically correct.
Grammatical Patterns for Waiting
You wait for something or someone:
✅ I’m waiting for my turn. (correct)
❌ I’m waiting my turn. (incorrect)
You wait for someone to do something or for something to happen:
✅ Jillian is waiting for him to confess. (correct)
❌ Jillian is waiting him to confess. (incorrect)
Waiting is an Intransitive Verb
Staying somewhere or delaying something
“Where is she?” “She’s waiting down the aisle.”
Aika’s waiting outside the room.
I’m waiting for her to stop whining.
Expecting something to happen, but hasn’t happened yet
Let’s keep waiting for a favorable result.
I’m waiting for my friend to realize the impact of what she’s done.
She’s waiting for an impossible miracle to come.
Awaiting vs. Waiting: What’s the Difference?
While both awaiting and waiting come from the verb wait, the difference between the two is awaiting is a transitive verb that needs an object, while waiting is an intransitive verb that can be used with or without an object. Also, both are present participle forms of the verbs await and wait, respectively.
Lastly, to remember which one to use, waiting typically needs the preposition “for,” and awaiting is commonly used in formal settings.
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Await. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/await
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Wait. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/wait
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Await. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/await
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Wait. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/wait
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Await. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/await
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Wait. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wait
