wait for和wait on的区别主要体现在以下方面:
一、核心含义差异
wait for 表示被动等待某个事件、人或结果的发生,强调“等待”的动作本身。例如:
- 等待某人到来:
> I'll wait for you at the station.
- 等待结果:
> The company is waiting on the new policy decision.
- 等待机会:
> She's always waiting for a chance to showcase her talent.
wait on
表示主动为他人提供服务或照顾,强调“服务”的动作。例如:
- 服务顾客:
> The waiter waits on guests at the restaurant.
- 照顾病人:
> The nurse waits on the sick patient in the ward.
- 表示尊重:
> The butler waits on the queen in the palace.
二、用法场景对比
wait for: 多用于非服务性场景,如等待交通工具、消息或决策结果。 可接时间、事件或人,例如: > I've been waiting for the meeting for an hour. > The children are waiting for their parents to arrive. wait on
多用于服务性场景,如餐厅服务员、医院护士等职业活动。 后接人或事物(如服务对象、决策结果),例如:
> The chef waits on the guests during dinner service.
> The company is waiting on the jury's verdict.
三、补充说明
语义侧重点:
wait for强调“被动等待”,wait on强调“主动服务”。- 搭配差异:
wait for后可接时间(如for hours)、事件(如for the meeting to start)或人(如for my friend),而wait on后通常接人或事物(如for the queen、for the letter)。
通过以上分析,可根据具体语境选择合适表达。例如,描述“医生等待病人检查”用wait on,描述“学生等待考试结果”用wait for。