are being waited on vs are waiting

Both phrases are correct, but they are not directly comparable as they have different meanings. 'Are being waited on' is used when someone is receiving a service (especially in a restaurant) or being attended to by someone else. 'Are waiting' is used when someone is in a state of anticipating something or someone.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: April 02, 2025 • 4577 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when someone is receiving a service or being attended to by someone else.

"are being waited on "

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is currently being served or attended to by others. It implies a passive role in the action.

Examples:

The customers are being waited on by the restaurant staff.
She is being waited on hand and foot by her personal assistant.

Show examples from the web [+]

If I know Chloe... she's sitting under a palm tree being waited on by some hunky husky.
Ahem. I'm not used to being waited on, Al.
It happened because I waited and being with Rigo made it special.
We have tabled amendments in committee - I have even tabled them myself - stating the need for this legislation to enter into force more quickly, the reason being that we have waited so long for it, on behalf of the children in the European Union.
She waited on me... here.
She waited on you hand and foot.
The Englishman is never waited on at breakfast.
The dude waited on tables And watched his life happen without him.
You waited on Brandon Valdivia last night?
Both were also waited on by the same server.
I was the one who waited on that helipad for you.
The dude waited on tables and watched his life happen without him.
She waited on her father's Store at the close was when she disappeared.
Quickly, madam, for I am waited on at the altar.
Soon perhaps, you'll be waited on hand and foot.
And we know that you waited on their table.
- Right, I'm waited on hand and foot.
From the first time that you waited on me.
I got some very helpful information from the waitress who waited on Artie and Lola the night of the murder.
Miracles waited on your word for which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.

Alternatives:

are being served
are being attended to
are being taken care of
are being looked after
are being helped

This phrase is correct and commonly used when someone is in a state of waiting for something or someone.

"are waiting"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is currently in a state of waiting for a particular event, person, or thing. It implies an active role in the waiting process.

Examples:

We are waiting for the bus to arrive.
They are waiting for their friends to join them.

Show examples from the web [+]

Those guys with cuffs over there are waiting to take you away.
Our friends in France are waiting for you.
Ben, people are waiting for a comment.
There are folk who are waiting to see you.
Great herds of glanders-infected horses are waiting, massed in vast pens along a 50-mile line.
Charlie, the troops have amassed and are waiting for you.
Brings her to where the heart and the patient are waiting.
They are waiting in the other room.
I'm late, and my students are waiting for me.
My friends are waiting for me.
Cat and Jules are waiting across the border in Lithuania.
Vultures are waiting to strip the flesh from our bones.
Eph... the families are waiting.
Mr. Rosso and the others are waiting.
The heads of department are waiting for you, Mr Selfridge.
Fofo's parents are waiting for me.
Steve and my dad are waiting for me.
Scottish Granddad and his puppies are waiting for us.
They are waiting for my command.
McGee and Bishop are waiting for you.

Alternatives:

are in a state of waiting
are anticipating
are expecting
are holding out
are staying put

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are being waited on vs are waiting

"are being waited on "

"are waiting"

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