waiting for a long time. vs waiting a long time.

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey the same meaning, but the structure is slightly different. The first phrase uses 'for' as a preposition to indicate the duration of the waiting, while the second phrase omits the preposition and directly connects 'waiting' and 'a long time.'

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 263 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"waiting for a long time."

This phrase is used to indicate the act of waiting for an extended period of time. 'For' is a preposition that shows the duration of the waiting.

Examples:

I've been waiting for a long time for the bus to arrive.
She was waiting for a long time before he finally showed up.

Show examples from the web [+]

waiting for a long time.
He's been waiting for a long time.
Father, party members are waiting for a long time.
He kept me waiting for a long time.
He's probably been outside waiting for a long time.
I've been waiting for a long time for something like this to come around.
I've been waiting for a long time for the right someone to come along.
I mean, this guy's been waiting for a long time.
Even after waiting for a long period of time, you are not able to access the such case, it needs hard reboot.
This was something that Microsoft fanboys were simply waiting for a long time to happen apart from Virtual Desktops and finally it has been delivered in Windows 10.
The aviation sector has been waiting for a long time for a final agreement on the mutual recognition of EU and US security measures.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time.
I am very pleased that, although we have been waiting for a long time to discuss these two items, they have both been raised on the same day.
I should say that we have been waiting for a long time (about an hour), and we were just lucky.
In the first case you are waiting for a long and fascinating journey into the virtual world.
We were waiting for a long time before we saw an uncovered automobile appear and move through the street at an almost normal speed.
We are very proud to present our first protein beer, which we have been waiting for a long time, and finally get to taste it.
This mistrust is increased further by its dealings to date with Mr Blak, the rapporteur of the Committee on Budgetary Control, who has been waiting for a long time to answers to his questions.
Mr President, we have been waiting for a long time for a directive on blood quality, which is vital to ensure safety for donors and recipients at European level.
Everything is ready for the dinner on the terrace you were waiting for a long time. Now you can finally use your brand new outdoor table, causing once more wonder and admiration among diners.
We now expect that the signal is now also collected from various departments required to complete those measures that the industry is waiting for a long time.

Alternatives:

waiting a long time
waiting patiently for a long time
waiting for an extended period
waiting for what seems like an eternity
waiting for hours on end

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"waiting a long time."

This phrase is used to indicate the act of waiting for a significant amount of time. The preposition 'for' is omitted in this structure.

Examples:

I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity.
She's been waiting a long time for her dream to come true.

Show examples from the web [+]

'Cause we could be waiting a long time.
If we Europeans wait for others to do something before we act, we could be waiting a long time.
Because she has been waiting a long time.
In a dream I saw a woman dressed as a bride who addressed me saying: "If you want to find the Truth marry me, I'm waiting a long time."
Something tells me she's going to be waiting a long time.
If the ghost wants his family to be together again, It's getting be waiting a long time.
If Vance is waiting for Robin Williams in drag to come floating on some magic umbrella singing "Do-Re-Mi," he's going to be waiting a long time.
They're going to be waiting a long time.
You could be waiting a long time.
They have been waiting a long time.
These girls have been waiting a long time.
He's been waiting a long time.
I've been waiting a long time.
'Cause we could be waiting a long time.
They will be waiting a long time.
They say they've been waiting a long time.
I'm sorry. I know you've been waiting a long time.
But we've been waiting a long time.
We've been waiting a long time.
We'll be waiting a long time.

Alternatives:

waiting for a long time
waiting patiently for a long time
waiting for an extended period
waiting for what seems like an eternity
waiting for hours on end

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waiting for a long time. vs waiting a long time.