Wait for and wait on

English as a Second Language What do you want to talk about?
1

Hello dear Alan and Torsten! Explain please the difference between the exspressions :
‘wait for powers’ and ‘wait on powers’

Thank you

2

Hi Pioneer,

Thanks for your note. Perhaps you could give me the exact context of your two expressions so that I can give you a complete answer.

Best wishes
Alan

3

Hello Alan! I have met this ex. ‘wait on’ in text.
It is a pity we are so poor and needy ourselves-otherwise we would go to the rescue of our Haitan brothers and sisters ourselves, instead of WAITING ON THE SUPER POWERS, who do nothing, unless it is in their own interests.

I guess, “wait on” means “rely on” or “count on” here. Is it so?

Pioneer.

4

Hi Pioneer,

Yes, you’re right. The difference is that wait for is to expect generally as in ‘wait for a bus/train’ but wait on has an extra meaning - not only to expect but to consider this to be an automatic right. It therefore has, as you say, the meaning of rely.

Alan

5

Thank you for your help.

Pioneer.