I was waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was waiting" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that took place in the past. For example, "I was waiting in line to buy tickets when I suddenly realized I had forgotten my wallet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was waiting.

The New York Times - Sports

I was waiting to begin.

The New Yorker

"I was waiting for it.

The New York Times - Sports

You know I was waiting".

The New Yorker

I was waiting for him.

The New York Times - Sports

But I was waiting.

The New York Times - Sports

"Like I was waiting for a lover".

The New York Times

"I was waiting to play the bounce".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was waiting to discipline him".

The New York Times

I was waiting for the teeth".

Independent

I was waiting for him myself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was waiting" to describe an ongoing action in the past when something else occurred, providing context to the sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "I was waiting" to describe a completed action in the past. Instead, use the simple past tense, such as "I waited."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was waiting" functions as a past continuous tense, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was waiting" is a versatile and commonly used construction in English, functioning as a past continuous tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating an action in progress at a specific time in the past. It is frequently found in diverse contexts, including news, formal writing, and general communication. When writing, remember that "I was waiting" describes an ongoing action, distinct from the completed action described by "I waited". Consider using related phrases like "I had been waiting" to emphasize duration or "I was anticipating" to focus on expectation. By understanding its nuanced usage, you can effectively convey context and describe events with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had been waiting

Emphasizes the duration of the waiting period prior to a past event.

I was anticipating

Focuses on the expectation of something happening.

I found myself waiting

Highlights the realization of being in a waiting state.

I remained waiting

Stresses the continuation of the waiting action.

I stood by waiting

Suggests a readiness or preparedness while waiting.

I bided my time

Implies waiting strategically for an opportune moment.

I marked time

Indicates passing time without significant activity while waiting.

I stalled

Conveys delaying an action while waiting for something else.

I was held up

Explains being delayed by external factors, implying waiting as a consequence.

I hung back

Suggests waiting in a more passive or reserved manner.

FAQs

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

Use "I was waiting" to describe a continuous action in the past, often interrupted by another event. For example, "I was waiting for the bus when it started to rain."

What is a synonym for "I was waiting" that implies anticipation?

A synonym that implies anticipation is "I was anticipating", which emphasizes the expectation of something happening.

When should I use "I waited" instead of "I was waiting"?

Use "I waited" to describe a completed action in the past, whereas "I was waiting" describes an ongoing action. For example, "I waited for the bus" (completed) vs. "I was waiting for the bus when I saw my friend" (ongoing).

What's the difference between "I was waiting" and "I had been waiting"?

"I was waiting" describes a continuous action in the past, while "I had been waiting" emphasizes the duration of the waiting period prior to a specific event in the past.