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i have been waiting vs i have waited

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I have been waiting' is used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and is still continuing, while 'I have waited' is used to indicate a completed action in the past with a focus on the result. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration of the waiting or the completion of the waiting.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 7653 views

i have been waiting

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and is still continuing.

This phrase is used to express that you started waiting in the past and are still waiting at the present moment. It emphasizes the duration of the waiting.

Examples:

  • I have been waiting for the bus for 20 minutes.
  • She has been waiting for her friend to arrive since morning.
  • We have been waiting for the results for weeks.
  • I have been waiting sooo long to share this news! My all-new Norbert Tiny Plush is now available. You will want to add my newest plush in an adorable...
  • Sep 20, 2024 ... 275 votes, 22 comments. I have been waiting so long if a basic duck is pushed into being a sequel animal I think I might actually cry I ...
  • Oct 24, 2024 ... I have been waiting and wishing for this to happen for so long. This year at @burningman, I played the most surreal and incredible set with ...
  • Nov 10, 2013 ... I have been waiting 4 years to divorce my wife, but now she is dependent on me. Relationship. Wife and I are married with 2 kids. One son 19 ...
  • Aug 16, 2024 ... lauraaldenofficial on August 16, 2024: " I have been waiting for this day for so so so long. My debut EP 'Homebody' is finally out today.
  • Aug 25, 2015 ... "I have been waiting for 2 hours" sounds more natural. "I have been waiting" (present perfect continuous) means the action is not finished.
  • Jan 23, 2023 ... 1761 likes, 80 comments - chloelashbrooke on January 23, 2023: "To say that I have been waiting for this moment since March 2020 would be an ...
  • Sep 26, 2024 ... I have been waiting on live chat for almost 2 hours and nobody is coming.I need help from Microsoft please. Hi, I am absolutely fuming.
  • Aug 5, 2024 ... 1421 likes, 41 comments - edymassih on August 5, 2024: "The collab I have been waiting for all summer long! Za'atar Braided Croissants drop ...
  • Dec 6, 2015 ... I have been waiting for you for 2 hours! How long will it be lasting for? I will wait for you for 20 minutes more and then go home". Please ...

Alternatives:

  • I have been waiting for a long time.
  • I have been waiting patiently.
  • I have been waiting eagerly.
  • I have been waiting here for hours.
  • I have been waiting in line for a while.

i have waited

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a completed action in the past with a focus on the result.

This phrase is used to express that you waited for something in the past and the waiting is now over. It emphasizes the completion of the waiting.

Examples:

  • I have waited for this moment for so long.
  • She has waited for him to call all day.
  • We have waited for the rain to stop before going out.
  • Nov 23, 2011 ... Which is the correct sentence, or are both possible? - I have waited for you for two hours. - I have been waiting for you for two hours.
  • Nov 8, 2014 ... Provided to YouTube by Rhino Atlantic I Have Waited so Long · Foreigner Double Vision ℗ 1978 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United ...
  • 2 days ago ... I have waited more than 300 days !! Coinbase still has my account resteicted not allowing me to cash out my money . I try to verify my ...
  • Jul 31, 2013 ... I have waited for you all day long. I have been waiting for you all day long. Is there any difference in meaning between the sentences?
  • 3 days ago ... I have waited the whole game for a 3 star moose and this is when it spawns. FML.
  • Apr 4, 2023 ... I have waited my entire life to say this…IM GOING ON MY FIRST EVER HEADLINING TOUR and you can go RSVP RIGHT NOW (in my bio) Tickets go on ...
  • Sep 17, 2021 ... I have waited a long time to say this... my debut album, #HeresToAnyone is out NOW! Thank y'all for all the support and waiting so patiently ...
  • Oct 5, 2024 ... 2263 likes, 82 comments - feministajones on October 5, 2024: "I have waited for this day longer than I realized. I have waited with bated ...
  • Sep 19, 2024 ... Should I have waited to upgrade a client machine to macOS Sequoia until my server was updated? I have upgraded my MacBook Pro to Sequoia and ...
  • Sep 27, 2024 ... I have waited forever to eat at Mabella's and it was so worth the wait. The Mushroom ravioli was incredible! ♥️ Didn't get pics of appetizer ...

Alternatives:

  • I waited for hours.
  • I waited patiently.
  • I waited eagerly.
  • I waited for a long time.
  • I waited in line for a while.

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