i would have been waiting vs i would wait

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I would have been waiting' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past where waiting was ongoing before another event. 'I would wait' is used to express a hypothetical action or behavior in the present or future.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 2062 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past where waiting was ongoing before another event.

"i would have been waiting"

This phrase is used to express a hypothetical continuous action that would have been happening before a specific point or event in the past.

Examples:

If you had called me earlier, I would have been waiting for you at the station.
I would have been waiting for hours if the bus hadn't arrived on time.

Alternatives:

I would have waited
I would have been there waiting
I would have been patiently waiting
I would have been eagerly waiting
I would have been waiting for a long time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a hypothetical action or behavior in the present or future.

"i would wait"

This phrase is used to express a hypothetical action or behavior that someone would do in the present or future under certain conditions.

Examples:

If I were you, I would wait for the right moment to speak.
I would wait until tomorrow to make a decision.

Show examples from the web [+]

I told you I would wait.
And then I would wait for what I call a wave of clarity.
I would wait until I was ready to talk.
- If I believed the operators were actually helping somebody, I would wait.
I-I promised Lily that I would wait and watch it with her.
I made a promise to my grandma when I was young that I would wait till marriage.
I knew right then, looking at Heather, that I would wait however long it took to get her.
If I had time, I would wait for that little twit your son knocked up to give birth.
Then I would wait beside the body to see what would happen.
Not too many fighters I would wait for, in my life, but he's won eight world titles, so I will wait for hirn.
I would wait all night, I would wait my whole life for that train, if it meant that I got to spend my last day with you.
I told the king that I would wait.
Luke, this is not something I would wait on.
You know what, I would wait.
I would wait in his chambers for hours so he could use me when he was bored.
Regardless of how long, I said that I would wait for you.
My daughter, Gemma, is joining us today and I said I would wait here for her.
And I figured I would wait until I see you on my own.
No, I would wait till he is right in the middle of a big old standing ovation.
However, when I heard that France only has one trainee, I thought I would wait first for Mr Barnier to put pressure on his government.

Alternatives:

I would hold off
I would be patient
I would delay
I would refrain from acting
I would bide my time

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i would have been waiting vs i would wait