What are the definitions of “wait upon”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Provide someone with what they require.
They used to have servants WAITING UPON them.
- 2Wait for a result before being able to make a decision.
They must WAIT UPON the outcome of the match before they know who they'll be playing.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wait upon”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wait upon is to provide someone with what they require, often in the context of serving or attending to someone's needs. For example, it can mean serving food to guests, attending to a customer's needs, or taking care of someone.
What are the different verb forms of “wait upon”?
| Root Verb | wait upon |
| Third Person Singular Present | waits upon |
| Present Participle | waiting upon |
| Simple Past | waited upon |
| Past Participle | waited upon |
Example
The butler waits upon the guests during dinner.
Example
She waits upon her elderly mother every day.
Example
He is waiting upon the customers at the store.
Example
Yesterday, they waited upon the guests at the party.
Example
The staff has waited upon the guests throughout the event.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wait upon”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“wait upon” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The waiter waited upon the guests.
Example
She waits upon her grandmother every day.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“wait upon” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The waiter waited upon the guests.
Example
She waits upon her grandmother every day.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wait upon”?
Good things to know
Does “wait upon” have an informal or formal tone?
Wait upon is a somewhat formal phrasal verb, often used in more formal settings or when discussing service-related situations. It is less commonly used in casual, everyday conversations. In informal contexts, people might use simpler terms like 'serve' or 'help' instead.
