"I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened." vs "I was waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened."

Question

"I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened." vs "I was waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened."

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. The first phrase implies that the waiting occurred entirely before the shop opened, while the second phrase suggests that the waiting was ongoing when the shop opened. The choice between them depends on the specific timing you want to emphasize.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

This phrase is used to convey that the waiting was ongoing at the time the shop opened. It emphasizes the coincidence of the waiting and the shop opening.

Alternatives:

I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop finally opened.
I was waiting for 30 minutes as the shop opened.
I was waiting for 30 minutes as the shop was opening.
I was waiting for 30 minutes as the shop was about to open.

This phrase is used to express that the waiting occurred entirely prior to the shop opening. It emphasizes the duration of the waiting period before the event.

Alternatives:

I waited for 30 minutes before the shop opened.
I had been waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened.
I had waited for 30 minutes before the shop opened.
I had been waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened.

Answer 1

I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate waiting at the moment when a specific event occurred.

Answer 2

I was waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate waiting before a specific event.

"I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened." vs "I was waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened."

I was waiting for 30 minutes when the shop opened.

I was waiting for 30 minutes before the shop opened.

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