Meaning & use
waits
Last updated
“waits” is a form of “wait”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Stays in a place or delays an action until someone or something arrives or something happens.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'for' + person/thing, or 'to' + infinitive.
Patterns
- wait for someone/something
- wait to do something
- wait for someone to do something
He waits for his sister every day after school.
The dog waits patiently by the door.
She waits to hear the good news.
verbintransitive
Is ready and available for someone to use or take.
Grammar: No object; often used of things that are prepared or in place.
Patterns
- something waits for someone
A warm meal waits for you at home.
A big surprise waits for her in the box.
Word forms
| base form | wait |
|---|---|
| past tense | waited |
| past participle | waited |
| -ing form | waiting |
Common combinations
- wait for
- We waited for the rain to stop.
- wait and see
- Let's wait and see what happens.
- can't wait
- I can't wait to see you!
- wait a minute
- Wait a minute, I forgot my keys.
Synonyms and how they differ
- await
- More formal and usually takes an object: 'We await your reply.'
- stay
- Focuses on remaining in a place, not on expecting something.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: waits or weight?
waits vs weight
Sounds the same but means how heavy something is.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The verb 'wait' is intransitive and takes 'for' before the person or thing you are expecting. 'Wait the bus' is missing a preposition; 'wait to the bus' uses the wrong preposition; 'wait on the bus' means she is waiting while on the bus, not waiting for it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “waits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.