I was lingering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was lingering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that occurred over a period of time and seemed to last longer than expected. For example: "I was lingering over my coffee, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the cafe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was lingering too long.

The New York Times - Travel

Okay, I admit it, I was lingering, hoping for a celebrity sighting.

The New York Times

It was the first day of kindergarten for the school year and I was lingering with some of the parents when we heard this low-flying plane.

Independent

Soon, I was lingering in the chalky sweat of summer school along with the unfortunate geometry teacher, who must have badly needed the job.

The New York Times

One Saturday morning last summer, I was lingering in bed, listening to NPR and reaching for my first sip of coffee, when an overwhelming, shaking sensation on a tectonic scale rumbled through my skull and entire body — an experience not unlike being dragged by wild horses down a darkened gravel road.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was lingering in an environment that wasn't healthy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I am lingering over Jean-Honoré Fragonard's painting Le Petit Parc, one of my favourite works in the Wallace Collection in London.

The Guardian - Arts

I am, if truth be told, looking for a narrative to call my own, something to help me explain why I am lingering on the stage set of life after the curtain has come down and the others have got married, or died.

The New Yorker

I'm lingering on this wine not because I want to hide or bury my head in the sand about the environment and the conversations I found so unsettling on my trip this week.

Forbes

I went in for what I thought was lingering bad bronchitis.

Los Angeles Times

We were really puzzled by this fact that the I Love You virus was lingering in the wild.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was lingering" to convey a sense of lingering in a location or state, implying a sense of relaxation, reflection, or hesitation to leave. For example, "I was lingering over my coffee, enjoying the morning sun."

Common error

While "I was lingering" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional language if the context requires it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was lingering" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (lingering) that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was lingering" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig AI. It describes the act of remaining in a place or state longer than necessary. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "I remained behind" and "I stayed longer". When writing, it's best to use this phrase to indicate a relaxed or reflective state, while avoiding overuse in formal settings. As Ludwig examples show, it’s applicable in diverse scenarios but keep in mind there are alternatives to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I stayed longer

Emphasizes extending one's stay beyond the initial intention.

I remained behind

Focuses on the act of staying after others have left.

I prolonged my stay

Emphasizes the deliberate extension of one's presence.

I hung around

Suggests a casual and possibly aimless waiting or staying.

I delayed my departure

Highlights the act of postponing leaving.

I tarried

Implies a slight delay or hesitation in departing.

I dawdled

Highlights a slow and leisurely pace, causing a delay.

I idled

Focuses on spending time without doing anything productive.

I loitered

Suggests remaining in a public place without any clear purpose.

I marked time

Suggests waiting or passing time in a non-specific manner.

FAQs

How can I use "I was lingering" in a sentence?

Use "I was lingering" to describe the act of staying in a place or continuing an activity for longer than necessary or expected. For example, "I was lingering after the meeting to chat with colleagues".

What are some alternatives to "I was lingering"?

You can use alternatives like "I remained behind", "I stayed longer", or "I hung around" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was lingering around"?

While grammatically correct, "I was lingering around" can sound slightly redundant. "I was lingering" is often sufficient, but "around" can be added to emphasize aimlessness.

What's the difference between "I was lingering" and "I was loitering"?

"I was lingering" suggests a more benign or innocent act of staying, while "I was loitering" often carries a negative connotation, implying suspicious or unwelcome lingering.