They have waited/They have been waiting for 3 hours.

[Arctica1982]

Hello!

The English books say that the verbs that have the idea of a long time, can be found in the present perfect continous.

The verb "to wait" has the idea of a long time, so it is correct to say:They have been waiting for 3 hours.

Is it a mistake if we use it in the simple form of the present perfect? They have waited for 3 hours.

 

[Checkmate]

I think "They have been waiting for 3 hours" is okay because it's a continuous situation but I'm not sure with the other one.

I'm not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

No, it is not a mistake.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think you can say 'have waited' if they are no longer waiting now, i.e. just stopped waiting.

Not a teacher.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER ******

Hello, Artica:

Have you had a chance to see our beloved teacher Michael Swan's Practical English Usage? *

He gives these two sentences:

1. I've been living in Sue's flat [apartment] for the last month.
2. My parents have lived in Bristol all their lives,

Mr. Swan says that the present perfect progressive is "often prefer[red]" when we talked about temporary actions; the present perfect is "often prefer[red]" when we talk about permanent actions.

Personally speaking, I always tell people that "I have lived here in my city since the 1940s."

Regarding your sentences, I do not know the context. But I do know that this is what I would say to the receptionist in my doctor's office:

(With great respect and gentleness) Excuse me, Miss, but I have been waiting for three hours to see Dr. Wong. Will it be much longer?

The receptionist: Just one more hour.

I will then meekly return to my seat and wait.




James


* The 1995 edition, entry 420.6 on page 426.

P.S. I have made up these sentences:

"The people have been waiting for two hours to buy tickets to that popular movie." [ A temporary situation]
"Darling, I have waited all my life to meet someone like you. Finally, my dream has come true." [He had to wait until he was 60 years old.]