wait for me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wait for me" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are telling someone to expect you, or to hold off on doing something until you arrive. For example: "I'm almost there, just wait for me!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Don't wait for me.

The New York Times

But don't wait for me.

The New Yorker

Wait for me, Alex.

The New York Times

They just wait for me.

The New York Times

"You don't have to wait for me".

The New Yorker

I'd asked her to wait for me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

She waited for me.

Princeton University

They are waiting for me.

Independent

He is waiting for me.

The New Yorker

He was waiting for me".

The New Yorker

He waited for me.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait for me" when you need someone to physically or metaphorically pause their progress until you can join them. This is especially relevant in situations where collaboration or companionship is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "wait for me" in digital communications where an immediate response isn't required. Instead of saying "Wait for me to reply to your email", a better approach would be "I'll respond to your email as soon as possible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait for me" functions as an imperative request. It's used to ask or command someone to delay their action, progress, or departure until the speaker is ready to join them. Ludwig AI validates the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wait for me" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to request a delay until one can join another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears frequently in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and informal settings. While simple, effective alternatives such as "hold on a moment" or "give me a second" exist, the directness of "wait for me" makes it suitable for situations requiring immediate coordination. When using the phrase, ensure the context aligns with its generally neutral to informal register, avoiding overly formal settings unless aiming for a specific effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a moment

Suggests a brief pause is needed.

wait up

Informal way to ask someone to slow down or stop.

give me a second

Requests a very short delay.

just a moment

Similar to "give me a second" but slightly more formal.

hang on

Informal way to ask someone to wait.

bear with me

Asks for patience during a potentially difficult situation.

don't go yet

Implies a desire for someone to stay longer.

stay put

Instructs someone to remain in their current location.

please be patient

Requests understanding and tolerance for a delay.

hold your horses

Idiomatic expression for asking someone to be patient and not rush.

FAQs

How can I use "wait for me" in a sentence?

You can use "wait for me" when you want someone to pause their action or journey until you are ready to join them. For example, "Please, "wait for me"! I need to tie my shoelaces."

What can I say instead of "wait for me"?

Alternatives include "hold on a moment", "give me a second", or the informal "hang on", depending on the context and your relationship with the person.

Is it correct to say "waited for me"?

Yes, "waited for me" is the past tense form of "wait for me". It's grammatically correct and means someone paused or delayed their actions until you were ready or arrived.

What is the difference between "wait for me" and "await me"?

"Wait for me" is more common and suggests a more active or immediate expectation of joining someone. "Await me" is more formal and implies a more patient or distant expectation. You would more likely say "Wait for me at the corner" but "Destiny awaits me".