wait for a friend

Meaning

This phrase means to stay in a place or delay an action until a friend arrives. It is a common, neutral expression used in daily life when meeting up with someone. Note that we always use the preposition 'for' after 'wait' when specifying who we are expecting.

Examples

• I'm sitting at the cafe, waiting for a friend to arrive.

  I'm sitting at the cafe, waiting for a friend to arrive.

• Can we stay here a bit longer? I need to wait for a friend.

  Can we stay here a bit longer? I need to wait for a friend.

• She is waiting for a friend outside the movie theater.

  She is waiting for a friend outside the movie theater.

• I can't talk right now because I'm waiting for a friend.

  I can't talk right now because I'm waiting for a friend.

• Are you waiting for a friend, or are you ready to order?

  Are you waiting for a friend, or are you ready to order?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am waiting a friend at the station.

  ✓ I am waiting for a friend at the station.

  In English, the verb 'wait' requires the preposition 'for' when followed by an object (the person or thing you are expecting).

• ✗ I'm expecting for a friend to call me.

  ✓ I'm expecting a friend to call me.

  Unlike 'wait,' the verb 'expect' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'for' before its object.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Why are you standing outside in the cold? — I have to ___ who is running late.

  💡 Stay in one place expecting a companion (4 words)

  Show answer

  wait for a friend

• She decided to ___ at the entrance instead of going inside the party alone.

  💡 Delay entering to meet someone first (4 words)

  Show answer

  wait for a friend