Linger – English Verbs Conjugation

linger lingers lingering lingered

Linger means to stay in a place longer than necessary. Regular verb: linger-lingered-lingered.

Meanings

To stay longer
To be slow to leave
To persist

Common Collocations

linger over coffee lingering doubt linger in memory linger on

Tip for Learners

Linger suggests staying reluctantly. "The smell of smoke lingered in the room."

Present Simple

I	linger
you	linger
he/she/it	lingers
we	linger
they	linger

Examples - Present Simple

I linger over my morning coffee every day.
You linger in the doorway before leaving.
She lingers after class to ask questions.
We linger at the table after dinner conversations.
They linger in the park until sunset arrives.

Present Continuous

I	am lingering
you	are lingering
he/she/it	is lingering
we	are lingering
they	are lingering

Examples - Present Continuous

I am lingering over this decision carefully.
You are lingering too long at the party.
He is lingering near the exit nervously.
We are lingering over dessert and conversation.
They are lingering in the lobby after the show.

Present Perfect

I	have lingered
you	have lingered
he/she/it	has lingered
we	have lingered
they	have lingered

Examples - Present Perfect

I have lingered over this book for weeks.
You have lingered on this topic long enough.
She has lingered in my thoughts since we met.
We have lingered at this cafe for hours.
They have lingered in the area for days.

Present Perfect Continuous

I	have been lingering
you	have been lingering
he/she/it	has been lingering
we	have been lingering
they	have been lingering

Examples - Present Perfect Continuous

I have been lingering over this meal for an hour.
You have been lingering on this issue too long.
He has been lingering near the office all day.
We have been lingering here since noon.
They have been lingering in town for weeks.

Past Simple

I	lingered
you	lingered
he/she/it	lingered
we	lingered
they	lingered

Examples - Past Simple

I lingered at the party long after everyone left.
You lingered over your meal thoughtfully.
She lingered in the garden until dark.
We lingered at the beach watching the waves.
They lingered after the meeting to discuss more.

Past Continuous

I	was lingering
you	were lingering
he/she/it	was lingering
we	were lingering
they	were lingering

Examples - Past Continuous

I was lingering in the bookstore when you found me.
You were lingering over coffee when I called.
He was lingering outside the building suspiciously.
We were lingering at the table when they closed.
They were lingering near the exit throughout.

Past Perfect

I	had lingered
you	had lingered
he/she/it	had lingered
we	had lingered
they	had lingered

Examples - Past Perfect

I had lingered too long and missed my train.
You had lingered over the decision before acting.
She had lingered in his memory for years.
We had lingered at the restaurant before leaving.
They had lingered in the area before moving on.

Past Perfect Continuous

I	had been lingering
you	had been lingering
he/she/it	had been lingering
we	had been lingering
they	had been lingering

Examples - Past Perfect Continuous

I had been lingering for hours before leaving.
You had been lingering over the project too long.
He had been lingering near the scene all day.
We had been lingering at the cafe before closing.
They had been lingering in town for weeks.

Future Simple

I	will linger
you	will linger
he/she/it	will linger
we	will linger
they	will linger

Examples - Future Simple

I will linger over this wonderful meal.
You will linger in my thoughts forever.
She will linger after class to speak with me.
We will linger at the beach until sunset.
They will linger as long as permitted.

Future Continuous

I	will be lingering
you	will be lingering
he/she/it	will be lingering
we	will be lingering
they	will be lingering

Examples - Future Continuous

I will be lingering over breakfast tomorrow.
You will be lingering in my heart always.
He will be lingering after the meeting.
We will be lingering at the party late.
They will be lingering around town for days.

Future Perfect

I	will have lingered
you	will have lingered
he/she/it	will have lingered
we	will have lingered
they	will have lingered

Examples - Future Perfect

I will have lingered here long enough by then.
You will have lingered in my memory forever.
She will have lingered over every detail.
We will have lingered at this spot for hours.
They will have lingered too long by closing time.

Future Perfect Continuous

I	will have been lingering
you	will have been lingering
he/she/it	will have been lingering
we	will have been lingering
they	will have been lingering

Examples - Future Perfect Continuous

I will have been lingering over this for hours.
You will have been lingering in my thoughts forever.
He will have been lingering here all afternoon.
We will have been lingering at this cafe for ages.
They will have been lingering in the area for days.