abzuwarten

Abzuwarten is a German verb formed from the verb warten (to wait) with the prefix ab-, used in the infinitive form. It conveys the idea of waiting for a result or development and implies that a decision, assessment, or conclusion should be postponed until more information is available. The expression is most commonly found in fixed phrases such as "Es bleibt abzuwarten," meaning "it remains to be seen" or "we have to wait and see."

Typical uses and constructions

- Es bleibt abzuwarten, wie sich die Lage entwickelt. (It remains to be seen how the situation develops.)

- Ob der Plan gelingt, ist abzuwarten. (Whether the plan will succeed remains to be seen.)

- In dieser Angelegenheit bleibt abzuwarten, welche Entscheidung getroffen wird. (In this matter, it remains to be seen what decision will be made.)

- Das Ergebnis ist noch offen; es bleibt abzuwarten. (The result is still open; it remains to be seen.)

Grammatical notes

- abzuwarten appears primarily in infinitive constructions and fixed expressions. It can also occur with other clauses after impersonal verbs or adjectives, for example in general statements about uncertainty.

- The corresponding noun form is das Abwarten (the waiting); abzuwarten is the infinitive used without zu in fixed expressions like Es bleibt abzuwarten.

- In everyday speech, the shorter verbabbreviation abwarten (to wait and see) is common, but abzuwarten remains a standard, more formal variant especially in journalism, politics, and formal writing.

Context and usage

Abzuwarten is associated with uncertainty and the postponement of judgment. It is typically used in formal or analytical contexts to indicate that outcomes will become clearer only after further information or events.