wait for vs wait on

Both 'wait for' and 'wait on' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Wait for' is used when someone is expecting something or someone to arrive, while 'wait on' is used when someone is serving or attending to someone else.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 295 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"wait for"

Use 'wait for' when you are expecting something or someone to arrive. It indicates anticipation or expectation.

Examples:

I will wait for you at the bus stop.
She is waiting for her package to arrive.
We are waiting for the results of the test.
He waited for hours for her to call.
They are waiting for the train to arrive.

Show examples from the web [+]

Unit readiness reports can wait for Monday.
One must wait for all to be fulfilled.
Something worse than in wait for the living.
I can't wait for Ariel to meet the professors.
Stand down and wait for further instructions.
Always wait for permission to feel accomplishment.
Jackanory can wait for another day.
I should hang around my apartment, and wait for a phone call.
Well, then we'll wait for that call.
No, I said wait for the mammoth.
I Want to wait for Julius, unfortunately is always in delay.
Wayne, I want you to wait for my signal.
Now, mind you, wait for my signal.
Assuming Stringer Bell is the man, now we wait for the return call.
This guy may not wait for Alvin to get to the rendezvous point.
You can't just wait for them to get you.
He says I should just wait for a phone call.
Some people wait for days, sometimes weeks.
I prefer to make miracles rather than wait for them to happen.

Alternatives:

anticipate
expect
look forward to

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in modern English. It is more commonly used in certain dialects or in formal contexts.

"wait on"

Use 'wait on' when someone is serving or attending to someone else. It implies a sense of service or assistance.

Examples:

The waiter is waiting on table 5.
She waited on her elderly neighbor during her illness.
The butler waited on the guests at the party.
The flight attendant waited on the first-class passengers.
The nurse waited on the patient's needs.

Show examples from the web [+]

I had to wait on my girlfriend to finish eating breakfast.
We cannot wait on the slow wheels of justice.
Be joyful in the Lord and wait on Him with complete confidence.
Trust in the Lord and wait on Him with great joy.
Tell Marcus: wait on the delivery.
Got to wait on the FBI and the medical examiner.
If you can wait on payment, I'll accept your offer.
We've been told to wait on the coroner.
I thought we were to wait on Dr Morgan's word.
He said to wait on Mr. Scott's story.
I will not wait on events while danger is gathering.
I don't wait on people.
Mrs. Collins gave me leave to wait on you.
And I say that they wait on me.
Now, good digestion wait on appetite and health on both.
Ask him to wait on the phone.
Go wait on that pretty girl.
Go wait on that pretty girl.
Have him wait on the terrace.
Makin' us wait on the porch just for a ridiculous entrance.

Alternatives:

serve
attend to
assist

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wait for vs wait on

"wait for"

"wait on"

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