"I waited" vs "i have waited"

Question

"I waited" vs "i have waited"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I have waited' is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. 'I waited' is in the simple past tense, indicating an action that occurred and was completed in the past.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

Use 'I waited' in the simple past tense to indicate an action that occurred and was completed in the past. It is often used when narrating past events or actions that have a clear endpoint.

Examples:

I waited for the bus, but it never came.
She waited for him at the restaurant.
They waited for hours in the rain.
He waited for her to finish her work.
Did you wait long for the appointment?

Alternatives:

I was waiting
I waited for a while
I waited all day
I waited patiently
I waited until they arrived

Use 'I have waited' in the present perfect tense to indicate an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. It is often used when talking about experiences or actions that have occurred recently or over a period leading up to the present moment.

Examples:

I have waited for this moment for so long.
She has waited patiently for her turn.
They have waited for hours in line.
He has waited for the right opportunity to present itself.
Have you waited long for a response?

Alternatives:

I have been waiting
I have been waiting for a while
I have been waiting since morning
I have been waiting for you
I have been waiting for this

Answer 1

I waited

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in situations where the action was completed in the past.

Answer 2

i have waited

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in situations where the action started in the past and has relevance to the present.

"I waited" vs "i have waited"

I waited

i have waited

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