[Vocabulary] The verb 'Cater'

The French said:

Hello,

Can you tell me your opinion about the uses of the verb cater in the following sentences:

I cater the cat.
I cater the meal.
I cater my old Mum.

I have read the meaning of this word but I am a little in the haze or in the fog pick one.;-) Do you mean I have write the phrases above correctly?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Cordially,

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"Cater" works with the preposition "for", we usually "cater for" someone or something.

bhaisahab said:

"Cater" works with the preposition "for", we usually "cater for" someone or something.

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Good morning teacher,

If I follow your explanation, I will have to write the following sentences instead of my previously phrases:

I cater food for the cat.
I cater food for the meal.

Am I right, now?

Thanks for your fast answer.

The French said:

Good morning teacher,

If I follow your explanation, I will have to write the following sentences instead of my previously phrases:

I cater food for the cat.
I cater food for the meal.

Am I right, now?

Thanks for your fast answer.

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No, "I cater for the cat"; "I cater for my mother"; "I cater for parties" etc.

bhaisahab said:

No, "I cater for the cat"; "I cater for my mother"; "I cater for parties" etc.

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Hi again, very fast you are.

It's sound to me "bizzare" but I am not an English Man. Is this verb always used with the preposition for or can I sometimes write 'cater to' or another prepositions?

Thanks.

The French said:

Hi again, very fast you are.

It's sound to me "bizzare" but I am not an English Man. Is this verb always used with the preposition for or can I sometimes write 'cater to' or another prepositions?

Thanks.

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"cater to" is also used in some contexts.

In the US, we would say "cater to" to mean that you change your behavior so that things remain pleasant for someone else. It's often (though not always) used with a negative sense.

Stop catering to her! You know all she wants is attention and when you respond that way, she gets it.

This guy is so difficult to work with. We have to cater to him or he gets irritable, like a little child. And in a workplace setting. You'd think he would grow up!


If you use it without a preposition, it means that you provided food for something.

Good Eats catered my wedding reception. They did a good job. I would recommend them.
I didn't have time to prepare food for my brother's 50th birthday party, so we had it catered.

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for your explanation, I have now a better idea of the use of this special word.

Is it a lot used by Americans?

See you tomorrow, it's time to dinner in France 8.30 P.M:-D

I would say the food meaning is pretty common and understood by everyone.

I don't know how common the "change your behavior so this other person isn't upset" meaning is, but I don't think it's unusual.

Bon appetit!