I have been waiting VERSUS I am waiting

[Hodor]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #54 "Chit Chat: At the bus stop", question 6

Linda: Yes, I ......... waiting for 30 minutes already.

(a) will be
(b) have been
(c) was
(d) am

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #54 "Chit Chat: At the bus stop", answer 6

Linda: Yes, I have been waiting for 30 minutes already.

Correct answer: (b) have been

Your answer was: incorrect
Linda: Yes, I am waiting for 30 minutes already.
_________________________

hi,

why not "I am waiting"?

Hodor

[Yankee]

Hi Hodor

You can use the present continuous (I am waiting) to simply say that you are in the process of waiting at the moment. There is no measurement of the time involved. We only know that the wait is in progress at the moment.

If you want to "measure" the duration of an activity up to now -- i.e. how long from a starting point in the past up to now, then you need the present perfect continuous (I have been waiting).

Amy