have been waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been waiting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that an event has been taking place in the past and still continues. For example: I have been waiting here for you for the past hour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He must have been waiting.

The New Yorker

They have been waiting.

The Guardian

Many have been waiting since 1973.

The New York Times - Sports

People have been waiting since noon".

The New York Times - Magazine

"They have been waiting days and days.

The New York Times

"It's what we have been waiting for".

Independent

We have been waiting for five months.

The Washington Post

I have been waiting for this moment.

The Guardian - Books

We have been waiting here all day.

The New York Times

I might have been waiting around forever".

The New York Times - Books

people have been waiting for years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been waiting", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being waited for, whether it's an event, a person, or a specific outcome.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense ("waited") when the waiting period extends to the present. "Have been waiting" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the wait, unlike the completed action implied by "waited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been waiting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been waiting" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe an action of waiting that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media, academic, and formal business settings. When using "have been waiting", emphasize the duration and continuity of the waiting period, ensure the context indicates what is being waited for, and avoid using simple past tense. Consider alternatives like "have awaited" or ""have been anticipating"" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been anticipating

Highlights the expectation and excitement associated with waiting.

have looked forward to

Expresses a positive feeling about the upcoming event or moment.

have been expecting

Focuses on the expectation that something will happen.

have awaited

Emphasizes the act of waiting with a sense of formality or anticipation.

have remained in expectation

Stresses the continuous state of expecting something.

have been in expectation of

More formal way to express the anticipation of something.

have bided time

Suggests waiting patiently for an opportune moment.

have marked time

Indicates a period of waiting with little or no progress.

have stood by

Implies waiting in readiness or preparedness.

have tarried

Suggests a delay or lingering while waiting.

FAQs

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

Use "have been waiting" to describe an action of waiting that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, "I "have been waiting" for the bus for an hour" indicates that you started waiting in the past and are still waiting now.

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "have awaited" or "have remained in expectation". These options convey a sense of formality and anticipation.

How does "have been waiting" differ from "have waited"?

"Have been waiting" emphasizes the continuous duration of the waiting period, whereas "have waited" simply states that you completed the act of waiting. Use "have been waiting" when the waiting is still ongoing.

What can I say instead of "I have been waiting" to express excitement?

If you want to convey excitement while waiting, you could say "I "have been anticipating" this" or "I "have looked forward to" this". These alternatives highlight your eagerness.