Waiting vs Awaiting
Waiting and Awaiting are two words that are often confused as words that denote the same meaning and idea, but the real fact is that there is some difference between waiting and awaiting in their meanings and connotations. The word waiting is based on the verb wait. Though wait is a verb waiting is a noun. Awaiting actually is a word made by adding –ing to the verb await. The meaning of both await and awaiting is the same. Though waiting too is created by adding –ing to the verb wait, there is a separate word called waiting in the English language. However, such a separate word does not exist for awaiting. If we look at the history of the word await its origins lie in Middle English.
What does Waiting mean?
The word waiting gives the sense of ‘to defer action for some reason’ as in the sentences given below.
He was waiting for about 2 hours for my arrival.
I am waiting for this to happen.
In the first sentence, you can see that the word waiting conveys the meaning of defer an action for some reason as, for example, the arrival of a person in this case. In the second sentence, you can see that the word waiting indicates the meaning of ‘deferring an action for some reason’ and hence the meaning of the sentence would be ‘I am deferring an action until this happens.’ On the other hand, the word waiting is sometimes followed by the preposition ‘for’ as in the expression ‘waiting for’.
What does Awaiting mean?
On the other hand, the word awaiting gives the meaning of ‘expecting’. In other words, it can be said that the word awaiting convey the idea of expectation. This is the main difference between the two words, waiting and awaiting. Observe the two sentences given below:
I am awaiting the results.
She was awaiting his arrival today.
In the first sentence, you can see that the word awaiting gives the meaning of ‘expecting’ and hence the meaning of the sentence would be ‘I am expecting the results’. In the second sentence, you can see that the word ‘awaiting’ gives the meaning of ‘expecting’ and the sentence would mean ‘she was expecting his arrival today’. It is interesting to note that the word awaiting is normally not followed by any preposition for that matter.
What is the difference between Waiting and Awaiting?
• The word waiting gives the sense of ‘to defer action for some reason.’
• On the other hand, the word awaiting gives the meaning of ‘expecting.’ In other words, it can be said that the word awaiting convey the idea of expectation. This is the main difference between the two words, waiting and awaiting.
• The word awaiting is normally not followed by any preposition for that matter.
• On the other hand, the word waiting is sometimes followed by the preposition ‘for’ as in the expression ‘waiting for’.
These are the main differences between the two words, namely, waiting and awaiting.
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