wait on me

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait on me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in an informal or conversational context to indicate that someone should remain in a place and attend to someone else's needs. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "Can you wait on me for a few minutes while I finish up this phone call?" Here, "wait on me" means "stay here and assist me" or "be available for me." The speaker is asking the other person to temporarily fulfill the role of serving or helping them while they complete their task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Don't wait on me".

The New Yorker

Another asked "Did you wait on me last week"?

The New Yorker

Now, as an adult, I mostly travel on business, meaning that I'm treated like a 10-year-old child: I fly, someone meets the plane, I'm taken to a hotel, people wait on me.

The New York Times - Travel

Because, like the grownups questioning International Women's Day, they are probably asking: "When will I get someone to wait on me and bring me breakfast in bed and let me put my feet up and watch the telly?

The Guardian - Opinion

For some reason, I think this would be an issue in the corporate world if I expected all of those around me to wait on me hand and foot.

Huffington Post

"Anyone gonna wait on me?" I asked the man to wait a moment, and he slapped the counter and grunted.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'll be getting weaker and end up in a wheelchair with people waiting on me". - US patient Other concerns about the future related to the genetic nature of some muscle diseases.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

I'm going to have to try one". But Chris, the friendly clerk who waited on me, looked askance at my drink.

Forbes

"The warden is waiting on me".

The New York Times

You shouldn't be waiting on me like this".

The New York Times

"I was in LA last week: Beverly Hills, the Four Seasons hotel, room service, limousine downstairs waiting on me.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wait on me", consider the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing. It can sound demanding if not used with appropriate politeness.

Common error

Avoid using "wait on me" in highly formal settings or when addressing superiors. Opt for more polite alternatives like "could you assist me" or "may I have your attention" to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait on me" functions as a phrasal verb, primarily indicating a request or expectation for someone to attend to one's needs or be at one's service. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wait on me" is a phrasal verb that expresses a request or expectation for someone to attend to one's needs. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as correct and usable, primarily in informal contexts. Although grammatically sound, its appropriateness depends heavily on the situation, with more formal alternatives like "attend to me" often preferable in professional settings. The phrase appears primarily in news and media sources and is relatively infrequent overall. Therefore, users should be mindful of the context to avoid sounding demanding or presumptuous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attend to me

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of giving service or attention.

serve me

This suggests a direct act of service, often in a professional context.

assist me

This is a broader term indicating help or support, less specific than direct service.

be at my service

This phrase is more emphatic and implies a willingness to fulfill needs.

take care of me

This suggests a more general form of looking after someone's needs, not necessarily immediate service.

look after me

Similar to 'take care of me', but implies a sense of guardianship or protection.

be there for me

Indicates general support and availability, not necessarily immediate assistance.

be available for me

Focuses on being present and ready to help when needed.

hold on for me

This implies pausing or delaying action for the speaker's benefit, not direct service.

hang on for me

Similar to 'hold on for me', suggesting patience and waiting.

FAQs

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

You can use "wait on me" to ask someone to attend to your needs or be available for you. For example, "Can you "wait on me" while I finish this task?"

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

Depending on the context, alternatives include "attend to me", "assist me", or "be at my service".

Is "wait on me" appropriate in formal situations?

While grammatically correct, "wait on me" is generally informal. In formal settings, consider phrases like "could you assist me" or "may I have your attention".

What's the difference between "wait on me" and "wait for me"?

"Wait on me" implies attending to someone's needs, whereas "wait for me" simply means to remain in place until someone arrives. The former suggests service, the latter, patience.