Waiting for someone vs Wait for someone

Both "waiting for someone" and "wait for someone" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Waiting for someone" is used when you are currently in the process of waiting for someone, while "wait for someone" is used when giving an instruction or describing a future action.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1661 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone is currently in the process of waiting for another person.

"Waiting for someone"

This phrase is used to describe the action of staying in one place or delaying an activity until the person you are waiting for arrives.

Examples:

I'm waiting for someone to pick me up.
She is waiting for her friend at the restaurant.
We were waiting for someone to open the door.
They are waiting for someone to start the meeting.
He will be waiting for someone at the airport.

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He told me he was waiting for someone.
You said he was sitting there waiting for someone.
They're waiting for someone like you to come and stop him.
We're still waiting for someone to ID the body.
I'm waiting for someone, so skip the blarney.
He said he was waiting for someone.
She said that Rachel was waiting for someone.
I knew you were waiting for someone.
Made me wonder if you're waiting for someone.
Seems like she was... waiting for someone.
We're having a secret Glee Club meeting instead, but I was waiting for someone.
Her hand shading her eyes as if she is waiting for someone.
I've decided that from now on, I'm never going to skip meals just because I'm waiting for someone.
- Are you waiting for someone?
But I'm waiting for someone, and he should be here any minute.
I'm waiting for someone from Taylor's class to take me to her tutor room.
I froze my patootie off waiting for someone to open that door.
It looks like she was waiting for someone that never showed.
Always waiting for someone To ask for her hand
I've been waiting for someone to throw out a cop y.

Alternatives:

waiting for something
waiting for a response
waiting for a call
waiting for a decision
waiting for a signal

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when giving an instruction or describing a future action of waiting for someone.

"Wait for someone"

This phrase is used to instruct someone to stay in one place or delay an activity until the person they are waiting for arrives.

Examples:

Wait for someone at the entrance.
We will wait for someone at the meeting point.
Please wait for someone to guide you.
I have to wait for someone to sign the document.
Don't leave yet, wait for someone to accompany you.

Show examples from the web [+]

Wait for someone to rescue me and my son?
Imagine never having to wait for someone at the manned space center to call and tell you how your husband is doing.
Okay, I can't do the math, but that sounds like an awful long time to wait for someone.
Can I sit around in an empty house and wait for someone?
I realized you can't sit around and wait for someone else to hide the slimy film covering your life.
Ono believed if you see injustice, you can't wait for someone else to fix it.
I think you can't wait for someone to fly underneath you and save your life.
You don't have to wait for someone to give you a home... ...or live on the outside any more.
Back when we were kids, all we had to do was wait for someone smaller, weaker, more prepared for Mother's Day.
But at the same time, I definitely don't want to stay here and wait for someone to come find us and do what they did at that base camp.
I'd rather wait for someone who'd walk through a blizzard for me and only honks to support the troops!
Can't you understand what it'll mean if my husband drowns... ...and the boy has to wait for someone?
Or do I have to wait for someone else to order the other half?
Are you giving me half of someone else's sandwich, or do I have to wait for someone else to order the other half?
Wait for someone to come for us.
Wait for someone to break into a car?
Not wait for someone to take me to some boring house.
While we wait for someone in Washington to issue the order.
So we have to wait for someone from the firm.
I know what it's like To wait for someone you love to come home.

Alternatives:

wait for something
wait for a response
wait for a call
wait for a decision
wait for a signal

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Waiting for someone vs Wait for someone