been waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"been waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have been waiting for a long time for something or someone. For example, "I've been waiting for you for almost an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He'd been waiting.

The New Yorker

I've been waiting".

The New York Times - Sports

He had been waiting.

The New Yorker

They've been waiting an hour.

The Economist

We've been waiting for it".

The New York Times - Sports

"We've been waiting since June.

The New York Times

He must have been waiting.

The New Yorker

"I've been waiting for this".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But I'm waiting".

The New Yorker

His appointment is waiting".

The New Yorker

The woman is waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been waiting" to express a sense of anticipation or the duration of a wait for something or someone. It works well when emphasizing the time spent in expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "been waiting" when a simple past tense is more appropriate. For example, say "I waited" instead of "I've been waiting" if the waiting period is over and the focus is only on the completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been waiting" typically functions as part of a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig examples show the phrase used to express anticipation, expectation, or prolonged delay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

4%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been waiting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, typically functioning within the present perfect continuous tense to express the duration of an action that began in the past and extends to the present. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media sources, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. The phrase effectively conveys anticipation, expectation, or a prolonged delay. While generally correct, careful attention should be paid to tense consistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and readily usable in both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been anticipating

Focuses on the feeling of looking forward to something, emphasizing the mental preparation and excitement.

have been expecting

Highlights the belief that something will happen, emphasizing the anticipation of an event.

have awaited

A more formal way of saying 'waited for', often used in literature or official contexts.

have been on the lookout

Indicates a state of vigilance and readiness for something to appear or happen.

have been standing by

Emphasizes readiness and availability, often in a professional or emergency context.

have been holding my breath

Implies a strong desire for a specific outcome, with a sense of anxiety or tension.

have been counting the days

Highlights the eagerness and excitement for an upcoming event, emphasizing the passage of time.

have kept watch

Implies vigilance and attentiveness, often in a protective or guarding context.

have marked time

Suggests a period of inactivity or stagnation while waiting for something to happen.

have passed the time

Focuses on filling the waiting period with activities, often to alleviate boredom or impatience.

FAQs

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

The phrase "been waiting" is typically used within a present perfect continuous tense to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "I have "been waiting" for the bus for an hour".

What's a more formal way to say "been waiting"?

While "been waiting" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, a more formal alternative is "have awaited". However, its usage should be limited to more formal settings. For example, "We "have awaited" your response with great interest".

What's the difference between "been waiting" and "waited"?

"Been waiting" (present perfect continuous) emphasizes the duration of the waiting period, while "waited" (simple past) simply states that the action of waiting occurred in the past. For instance, "I have "been waiting" all day" stresses the length of time, whereas "I "waited" for hours" only states the action.

What can I say instead of "I've been waiting" to express impatience?

To express impatience, you can use phrases like "I'm tired of "waiting"", "I've had enough of "waiting"", or "How much longer must I "wait"?". These options convey frustration and a desire for the waiting to end.