waited vs have waited

Both "waited" and "have waited" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Waited" is the simple past tense, used to describe an action that happened at a specific point in the past. "Have waited" is the present perfect tense, used to indicate an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 329 views

This is the simple past tense of the verb "wait." It is used to describe an action that occurred at a specific point in the past.

"waited"

Use "waited" when you want to talk about an action that was completed in the past at a specific time.

Examples:

She waited for the bus for an hour yesterday.
I waited for him at the restaurant, but he never showed up.

Show examples from the web [+]

I waited six months while you played house.
I waited outside the door and everything.
I waited for 17 million 526 thousand hours.
Christmas has never been as waited.
I waited while Dad went inside.
If love had waited one second more.
Her employer waited for this period exceeded.
I waited till the last person got out.
Luke, I'm really glad we waited.
I waited but after a while someone else brought me here.
I waited for that bar to close and it never closed.
Tracy welling's family has waited seven years for justice.
I'm so glad I waited for you.
We've waited months for those tickets.
The man he hit waited three years for a lung transplant.
Baby, I'm so glad you waited up.
You waited months for time with that telescope.
I'm thirsty because I waited so long.
I waited for you... all this time.
I waited till no one was looking.

Alternatives:

I waited for the movie to start.
He waited for his friend to arrive.

This is the present perfect tense of the verb "wait." It is used to indicate an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

"have waited"

Use "have waited" when you want to emphasize the connection between a past action and the present moment.

Examples:

I have waited for this moment for so long.
She has waited for the right opportunity to present itself.

Show examples from the web [+]

All these years I have waited for you.
I have waited 16 years for this board seat to open up.
I should have waited for something better to come along.
I think we should have waited for Gibbs.
That doesn't have waited so long for this.
We have waited for two hours on the sidewalk in this heat.
Maybe I should have waited for backup.
Sure. I should have waited to order, anyhow.
The fulfilment of that for which I have waited since eternity began.
I have waited a thousand years for a worthy opponent.
I have waited for this day.
I have waited eight years for this.
I have waited six years... to ask this question.
I have waited 5 years for this.
I probably should have waited to tell you, though.
I have waited 18 years for my graduation picture.
I have waited patiently with this trap of mine.
I have waited a long time.
I have waited for you a hundred years.
Admittedly, I may have waited a little long on that one.

Alternatives:

I have been waiting for the results.
They have waited for hours to see the doctor.

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waited vs have waited

"waited"

"have waited"

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