i was waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was waiting" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was in progress in the past, often before another event or action occurred. Example: "I was waiting for the bus when it started to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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 a continuous action in the past, often interrupted by another event. For instance, "I was waiting for the train when I saw her."

Common error

Avoid using "I was waiting" when you mean a completed action in the past. Instead of "I was waiting for you yesterday (and then I left)", use "I waited for you yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was waiting" functions as a past continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was waiting" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a continuous action in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you're conveying an ongoing action and avoid using it for completed past actions. Consider alternatives like "I expected" or "I had been anticipating" for nuanced meanings. This phrase is simple and effective for expressing past anticipation or readiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was awaiting

A slightly more formal synonym for 'waiting'.

I was expecting

Focuses on the expectation of something to happen or someone to arrive.

I had been anticipating

Uses more formal language to indicate a period of expectation.

I had been looking forward to

Indicates a positive anticipation or excitement about something.

I was on the lookout for

Indicates actively watching for something or someone.

I was standing by

Suggests readiness or preparedness for an event or instruction.

I was in expectation of

A more formal and literary way of expressing anticipation.

I was biding my time

Suggests waiting strategically for the right moment.

I was marking time

Implies passively waiting without engaging in other activities.

I was cooling my heels

An informal way of saying waiting, often implying impatience.

FAQs

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

Use "I was waiting" to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, often before something else happened. For example, "I was waiting for the bus when it started to rain."

What can I say instead of "I was waiting"?

You can use alternatives like "I was expecting", "I was awaiting", or "I had been anticipating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was waited"?

No, "I was waited" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "I was waiting", which indicates that you were in the process of waiting.

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

"I waited" implies a completed action, while "I was waiting" indicates a continuous action in the past. For example, "I waited for an hour" vs. "I was waiting when she arrived".