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Hanne Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:34 PM |
When I learned English, I always learned that "waiting on" means that you're serving someone, as opposed to "waiting for".
But I've started noticing the two phrases being used in the same way, for intance The Killers singing 'waiting on some beautiful boy'.
Now, you native speakers, is there a difference or did I just have a bad teacher? |
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ricv64 Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:39 PM |
| for me , you had a bad teacher . You can use both |
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Hanne Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:44 PM |
Thanks.
It's the whole preposition thing. Apparantly, prepositions are the hardest thing to learn in a foreign language, or even your own. |
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DAKOTA Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:46 PM |
they can be used interchangeably in the situation you describe.
I found this little grammar nugget on a google search:
Quote: Some of the writing authorities on my shelf say that "wait on" is of southern origin; others say it comes from New York City, where people have longed complained about "waiting on line." Perhaps it's spreading up the Connecticut coast from NYC? My (2003) Merriam-Webster's says that there's nothing really wrong with using "waiting on" something, that the expression seems to convey the tedium of waiting better than "waiting for." Whether or not that's true, "wait on" will bother some people whereas "wait for" will bother no one. The New York Times Manual of Style abhors the idiom of servers who say they "wait tables." However, it seems to be part of the specialized argot of servers and denying their right to it will only get you cold minestrone and a thumb in your antipasto. |
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DAKOTA Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:47 PM |
Hanne wrote: Thanks.
It's the whole preposition thing. Apparantly, prepositions are the hardest thing to learn in a foreign language, or even your own.
I'd say use whichever you're comfortable with, just don't put them at the end of your sentence. ;) |
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ricv64 Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:47 PM |
yeah , proper example
Waitting for a friend to arrive
or if I'm talking ,Waitting on a friend to show up , maZn
both correct |
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Turtleneck Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:49 PM |
I'm a total word-nerd. I love questions like this.
Either can be used. If you work in a restaurant, "waiting on" would mean serving.
In ordinary conversation, "waiting for" is probably preferred; but waiting on is certainly used and understood. Like the Rolling Stones, "Waiting on a Friend" or John Mayer, "Waiting on the World to Change." |
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AbsolutPurple Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:49 PM |
ricv64 wrote: for me , you had a bad teacher . You can use both
i wouldn't trust americans for english language advices |
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goosey_84 Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:50 PM |
AbsolutPurple wrote: ricv64 wrote: for me , you had a bad teacher . You can use both
i wouldn't trust americans for english language advices
hahaha i kept quiet because i knew this would come up! haha |
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ricv64 Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:51 PM |
| That's Americans Abs ! |
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AbsolutPurple Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:53 PM |
ricv64 wrote: That's Americans Abs !
just like "have you gotten my fax ?"
lol
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Hanne Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:54 PM |
Turtleneck: I'm a right language nerd too, which is why I even came up with this question in the first place lol
As for prepositions at the end of the sentence; this is also slightly ambiguous. You know, they say that 'a preposition is not something you should end a sentence with' ;o)
Anyhow, it's good to know that these two phrases are interchangable. I might stick to 'for' though. As stated above, waiting for won't be offending anyone :o) |
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goosey_84 Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:55 PM |
AbsolutPurple wrote: ricv64 wrote: That's Americans Abs !
just like "have you gotten my fax ?"
lol
?? that's not the proper way to say it?? |
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AbsolutPurple Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:57 PM |
Hanne wrote:
As for prepositions at the end of the sentence; this is also slightly ambiguous. You know, they say that 'a preposition is not something you should end a sentence with' ;o)
so saying "what are you waiting for ?" is wrong ? |
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weirdmom Posted Fri 05 Oct, 2007 8:57 PM |
| I think the only way it would be incorrect is if in a restaurant setting you said the waiter is waiting for us. Otherwise, it's what sounds better in the moment. |
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