Wait/wait for

Question

I am always confused whether I have to add "for" after "wait."
Could you tell me which one in the following senteces is right?
Thank you.

A. He asked me to wait him utill 3:00 PM.
B. He asked me to wait for him utill 3:00 PM.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

lucas21cwhich one ... is right?

Only B.

You have to use 'for' if you say who you are waiting for.

I'll wait until 3.
I'll wait for him until 3.

She has been waiting since 9.
She has been waiting for them since 9.

CJ

RandomGuy · Answer

lucas21cI am always confused whether I have to add "for" after "wait."

Wait can be used with an object, but not in your example. The next time you are unsure about using a preposition after a verb, consider using a dictionary. Verbs that are marked as transitive are directly followed by a noun or noun equivalent, while those marked as intransitive are not.

Lucas21c · Answer

How about "There was nothing for it but to wait a better chance?"
Must I use 'for' after 'wait' in the sentence?

Lucas21c · Answer

If a dictionary can tell every thing, I don't need to ask you here.
I hope you understand that foreigners cannot learn every thing from a dictionary or a textbook even though there are some explanations written...

RandomGuy · Answer

lucas21cHow about "There was nothing for it but to wait a better chance?"

You need for, but the sentence has other problems. I think you mean There was nothing to do but wait for a better chance.

lucas21cI hope you understand that foreigners cannot learn everything from a dictionary or a textbook

I do. I was just offering a suggestion that might help you. Dictionaries definitely help me. (I didn’t mean to imply that you should not post questions here about the use of words and instead always rely on a dictionary.)

Lucas21c · Answer

Thank you for your advice.
By the way, if I also need 'for' in the sentence, could you tell me when I can omit 'for' after 'wait?'
I think this might be easy and simple for someone, but I can't still distinguish when I can and cannnot.

RandomGuy · Answer

transitive verb

1. To remain or stay in expectation of; await: wait one's turn.
2. Informal To delay (a meal or an event); postpone: They waited lunch for us.
3. To be a waiter or waitress at: wait tables.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/wait

Lucas21c · Answer

Actually, my dictionary says I don't need to use 'for' in the sentence such as "I've just had to practice hard and wait my chance again."
However, as you told me, I have to use 'for' in the sentence like "There was nothing to do but wait for a better chance."
So, I cannot distinguish when I can and cannnot omit 'for' though I know 'wait' can be used as a trasitive verb when it meanas 'To remain or stay in expectation of; await'
To me, all the 'chance' in the above sentences seem to accord with this explanation of the dictionary while one need 'for,' and the other doesn't.
Between the 'chance' in the first sentence and the one in the second sentence, are there any differences that I do not notice?
Could you tell me how I can differentiate one case that I can omit 'for' from the other case that I cannot?

RandomGuy · Answer

lucas21cActually, my dictionary says I don't need to use 'for' in the sentence such as "I've just had to practice hard and wait my chance again."

Sorry, I should have mentioned that wait meaning await is almost always used in the phrase wait one’s turn (something a dictionary won’t tell you!). Your example is not very natural without for.

lucas21cCould you tell me how I can differentiate one case that I can omit 'for' from the other case that I cannot?

Generally, use for when you’re not waiting tables or waiting your turn.

Wait/wait for

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