waiting for someone

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Staying in a place until a particular person arrives or is ready.

   Grammar: Use it after be or a verb like keep, sit, or stand: I'm waiting for someone; keep waiting for someone.

   Patterns

   • be waiting for someone
   • keep waiting for someone
   • wait for someone to do something

   She's waiting for someone at the station, so she can't leave yet.

   I spent an hour waiting for someone to answer the phone.

   He kept waiting for someone to tell him what to do.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Hoping that a particular person will do something or arrive soon.

   Grammar: Often followed by to + verb: waiting for someone to call.

   Patterns

   • be waiting for someone to do something

   The children are waiting for someone to open the door.

   We're still waiting for someone to explain the delay.

Common combinations

waiting for someone to arrive

The taxi driver is waiting for someone to arrive at the gate.

waiting for someone to call

She's been waiting for someone to call all morning.

keep someone waiting

Sorry to keep you waiting; the doctor will see you soon.

wait for someone at the airport

We'll wait for you at the airport.

Synonyms and how they differ

awaiting someone

More formal and usually used in writing; waiting for someone is the normal everyday choice.

expecting someone

Suggests you believe they will come; waiting for someone only says you are staying until they do.

Word family

wait verb

To stay somewhere until something happens.

waiter noun

A person who serves food and drinks in a restaurant.

waiting room noun

A room where people sit until their appointment or turn.

Commonly confused: waiting for someone or waiting on someone?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “waiting for someone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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