How to Politely Ask Someone to Wait in English

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In our everyday life, on many occasions, we need to ask other people to wait. But, as people don’t feel good waiting, make sure you request them politely in appropriate English to wait for you. In this post, I’ve come up with some exciting and smart English expressions to ask someone to wait.

“Would you please hold on for a moment?” and “Could you please wait for a while?” are used to ask someone to wait in English in formal situations. However, you can say “Wait a second” or “Hold your horses” to informally ask them to wait. 

Remember! When you ask someone to wait, you actually ask for a favor from them. So, ensure you are polite enough in your choice of words and voice tone. No worries! In this post, you’ll get 100+ example sentences that you can use to ask someone to wait in English politely.

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Table of Contents

Wait/Whoa/Stop…

You can use the words “Wait,” “Whoa,” or “Stop” to ask someone to wait for you. These are informal words for asking someone to wait in English. To sound polite, you may use the word “Please” while using these three words to ask someone to wait in English.

Example sentences:

  • Wait!
  • Wait! I am coming.
  • Hey! Wait, please.
  • Wait! Wait! Wait! I am almost done.
  • Whoa! Take me with you, please.
  • Stop, please.

Note: The word “Whoa” also means stop. We use the word “stop” to ask someone to wait indirectly.

Hold/Hang on a Second/Minute/Moment/for a While…

The phrasal verbs “Hold on” and “Hang on” are the most common ways to ask someone to wait in English. We can use them both in direct and telephonic conversations. These are used for informal uses in most cases.

However, using the word “Please” may make it a bit politer and can be used in semi-formal situations.

Example sentences:

  • Hold on a second. I’m almost at the end.
  • Hang on a second, please. I’m checking.
  • Hold on a minute, please. I’m coming.
  • Hang on a minute. Try it in another way.
  • Hold on a moment. I’ll get back to you.
  • Hang on a moment, please. I’m sending you the photo.
  • Hold on for a while. I’ll make it okay.
  • Hang on for a while, please. Let me check it.

There can be other versions of those expressions that you should completely use in informal situations. For example, you can use the following expressions when you ask your close ones, especially your friends, to wait.

  • Hold your horses. [Very informal]
  • Hold on a sec. [“Sec.” is the short form of the word “Second.”]
  • Hang on a sec.
  • Hold on a mo. [“Mo.” is the short form of the word “Moment.”]
  • Hang on a mo.

Give Me a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

The request of giving you time is also quite common to ask someone to wait for you in English. Let’s see some example sentences using the word “Give.” You can use the expressions in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

  • Give me a second, please. I’ll be right back to you.
  • Give me a minute. Things will be fine. No worries.
  • Give me a moment. I’ll call you back.
  • Give me a while, please. I’ll arrange it all.

There can be other completely informal versions of the above expressions too. You should use them only with your friends and close ones.

  • Give me a sec.
  • Give me a mo.

Wait for a Second/Minute/Moment/ a While…

You can directly ask someone to wait by using the word “Wait” at the beginning of the following sentences. We usually use these expressions in semi-formal and informal situations.

Example sentences:

  • Wait for a second, please. I can help you with that.
  • Wait for a minute. I’m almost at the end of this chapter.
  • Wait for a moment, please. I’ll be there soon.
  • Wait for a while. You may have the chance to meet him.

Note: You can also place the word “Please” at the beginning of the sentences, as we see in the sentence “Please, wait a second.”

You can also use the following variants of some of the above expressions in informal situations only.

  • Wait a sec.
  • Wait for a mo.
  • Wait till I am not there.
  • Wait until I come back.

Just a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

Expressions with the word “Just” at the beginning are very common to ask someone to wait. However, suppose you are doing something, and someone calls you for something else. In that case, you can use the following expressions in both semi-formal and informal situations.

Examples sentences:

  • Just a second, please. It’s almost complete.
  • Just a minute. She’ll be here now.
  • Just a moment, please. I am stuck here.
  • Just a while, please. 

Some similar expressions are also available in English that you can use to ask people to wait in informal situations.

  • Just a sec
  • Just a mo.

Could/Would You Please Wait a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

Modal verbs such as “Would” and “Could” are used to ask someone to wait in formal situations. However, if you need to ask someone to wait in a professional context, you should use the following expressions.

  • Would you please wait a second?
  • Could you please wait a second for the others?
  • Would you please wait a minute? They will be here, I’m sure.
  • Could you please wait a minute for me?
  • Would you please wait a moment?
  • Could you please wait a moment? Everything will be ready. Don’t worry, please.
  • Would you please wait a while? I’m very close to the end.
  • Could you please wait a while?

Could/Would You Hold/Hang on a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

Using the phrasal verbs “hold on” or “hang on” with the modal verbs at the beginning of a sentence to ask someone to wait for sounds politer. You can use such expressions in formal situations. Here are some examples.

Would youhold ona second, please?
a minute, please?
moment, please?
a while, please?
Could youhold ona second, please?
a minute, please?
a moment, please?
a while, please?
Would youhang ona second, please?
a minute, please?
a moment, please?
a while, please?
Could youhang ona second, please?
a minute, please?
a moment, please?
a while, please?

Could/Would You Please Give Me a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

Below are some polite expressions using modal verbs to request someone to wait. You can use them in formal situations.

Would you pleasegive mea second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Could you pleasegive mea second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?

Can/Will You Please Wait a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

The modal verbs “Can” and “Will” are less polite than “Could” and “Would.” So, the best is to use the following expressions in semi-formal expressions. However, you may use them in formal situations too.     

Will you pleasewaita second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Can you pleasewaita second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?

Can/Will You Hold/Hang on a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

The phrasal verbs “hold on” or “hang on” with the modal verbs “Can” and “Will” make an excellent combination to ask someone to wait for you in English. I recommend you exclusively use them in semi-formal situations. However, you may also use them in formal situations.

Will youhold ona second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Can youhold ona second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Will youhang ona second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Can youhang ona second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?

Can/Will You Please Give Me a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

The expressions below are pretty standard for semi-formal situations.

Will you pleasegive mea second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?
Can you pleasegive mea second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?

Would/Do You Mind Holding/Hanging on for a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

The following expressions are used in formal situations. No matter the setting is seriousness, you can surely use them there. However, “Would” at the beginning of any sentence is politer and more formal than “Do.” So, I recommend using the modal verb “Would” rather than the auxiliary “Do.”

Would you mindholding onfor a second?
for a minute?
for a moment?
for a while?
Do you mindholding onfor a second?
for a minute?
for a moment?
for a while?
Would you mindhanging onfor a second?
for a minute?
for a moment?
for a while?
Do you mindhanging onfor a second?
for a minute?
for a moment?
for a while?

Would/Do You Mind Waiting for a Second/Minute/Moment/While…

Here are some common expressions you can use to ask someone to wait in formal situations.

Would you mindwaitingfor a second?
for a minute?
for a moment?
for a while?
Do you mindwaitinga second?
a minute?
a moment?
a while?

Some Other Expressions to Use to Ask Someone to Wait

I’ve already mentioned some examples in the above part of the post. Here are some other sentences that native English speakers also use to ask someone to wait.

  • All in good time.
  • Bear with me, please.
  • I won’t be long.
  • I’ll arrive soon.
  • I’ll be right there.
  • I’ll be there soon.
  • Let me see.
  • Let me think.
  • Not so fast.
  • Something will have to wait.

What to Say When Someone Has Already Waited for You

I already talked about how you should ask someone to wait in English. It would be best to consider what you say once someone has already waited for you. You should thank them for doing a favor by waiting for you and apologize for keeping them waiting.

Here are some sentences you can use to appreciate someone who has waited for you.

  • Thanks for waiting.
  • I appreciate that you waited.
  • I am sorry for keeping you waiting.
  • I apologize for the delay.
  • Thank you so much for understanding my situation. I am really sorry for being late.
  • I would not have kept you waiting if I could come earlier. Thanks for waiting.
  • Thank you so much for waiting.
  • Sorry to keep you waiting.

Sample Conversation: Politely Asking Someone to Wait in English

Situation: Rebecca is at the reception desk of a busy office when a client, David, approaches with a query.

David: Excuse me, Rebecca. I have a few questions about our contract.

Rebecca: Hi David! I’d be happy to help. Could you please hold on for a moment? I’m just finishing up with another task.

David: Of course, take your time.

Rebecca: Thank you for your patience. Alright, how can I assist you with the contract?

David: Thanks for attending to me. I just wanted to clarify a few points…

In Conclusion

So, if you need to ask someone to wait, you can express that by using the above expression. Remember that politeness is the key to any good conversation, especially when requesting or asking for permission from someone.

So, the expressions above can help you better express when you need to request someone to wait for you.

Thanks for reading!

Happy learning.

1. Why is it essential to ask someone to wait politely in English?

Politely requesting someone to wait acknowledges their time’s value and shows respect, ensuring smooth and positive interactions.

2. What are common phrases to ask someone to wait?

You can use phrases like “Could you hold on a moment?”, “Please bear with me,” “Just a second, please,” and “I’ll be right with you.”

3. How can tone influence the way I ask someone to wait?

A calm and reassuring tone can make the person feel acknowledged and more willing to wait without frustration.

4. Can body language also convey politeness when asking someone to wait?

Absolutely. A raised hand, nod, or eye contact can serve as non-verbal cues that you acknowledge the person and will attend to them shortly.

5. How can I make someone feel valued while they’re waiting?

Offering them a seat, updating them on the wait time, or thanking them for their patience can make them feel appreciated.

6. What should I avoid when asking someone to wait?

Avoid being dismissive, overly brief, or making the person feel like they’re an inconvenience.

7. How can I handle situations where the wait might be longer than expected?

It’s good practice to update the person about the delay, explain the reason if appropriate, and check if they’re okay to continue waiting.

8. Are there cultural differences in asking someone to wait?

Yes, the expectation of wait times and the way waiting is perceived can vary across cultures. Being aware of cultural norms can enhance effective communication.

9. How can I teach children to ask others to wait politely?

Modeling polite behavior, using stories, and practicing through role-playing can help children learn the importance of patience and how to request it from others.

10. Is it okay to ask someone to wait via text or email?

Yes, but it’s essential to be clear about the reason for the delay and provide an estimated time frame if possible. Always ensure your message is courteous and respectful.

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Niaj A A Khan is an ESL Instructor with over 7 years of experience in teaching & developing resources at different universities and institutes. Mr. Khan is also a passionate writer working on his first book, "Learn English at Ease."

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