anticipating playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anticipating playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing excitement or expectation about an upcoming activity, particularly in the context of games or performances. Example: "I am anticipating playing in the championship game next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everyone is anticipating, playing off each other.

The New York Times - Sports

I had brought four supporters with me from America anticipating playing tennis up to four times a week, which I had been doing in California.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I probably could play through it," said Lo Duca, who anticipated playing in some rehabilitation games.

The New York Times - Sports

He added bite from a deeper position than the one he initially anticipated playing in and was named the Champions league final's man of the match.

The Guardian - Sport

Unlike, say, Mr. Murakami, who last year marched in the parade alongside his balloons, wearing a costume that he designed, Mr. Burton did not anticipate playing such a public role in this year's procession.

The New York Times

As Allan Houston anticipated playing in his first game of the preseason tonight against the Nets at Continental Arena, he joked that his sore body parts had helped him temporarily forget his right knee, on which he had arthroscopic surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

As recently as two years ago, Yau would never have anticipated playing a key role in one of the most severe political crises since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese hands in 1997.

The Guardian

As Lawrence Vincent, a dancer turned radiologist who wrote a book on the subject, puts it, "A short and squat dancer should not aspire to dance with the New York City Ballet any more than a five-footer should anticipate playing center for the Los Angeles Lakers".

The New Yorker

I don't think Rangers anticipated playing against Hearts and Hibs this year.

BBC

McIlroy, who already has four majors to his name, does not intend to play into middle-age, saying: "I don't anticipate playing senior golf or championship golf".

BBC

Jordan Ellenberg, an associate professor of math at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who was initially skeptical of the job wiki, says, "I didn't really see any of the negatives that I anticipated playing out, … so my worries were somewhat assuaged".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anticipating playing" when you want to convey a sense of looking forward to an event, especially when there's a degree of planning or expectation involved. For example, "I am anticipating playing tennis this weekend" is more formal and emphasizes expectation compared to "I'm looking forward to playing tennis this weekend".

Common error

Avoid using "anticipating playing" in very casual conversation; it can sound overly formal. Opt for phrases like "looking forward to playing" or "excited to play" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

Anticipating playing functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It expresses the act of expecting or looking forward to participating in something, such as a game or performance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anticipating playing" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express looking forward to participating in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While less common than alternatives like "looking forward to playing", it adds a nuance of expectation and planning. Its formality is generally neutral, fitting well in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of formality required and consider whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking forward to playing

Replaces "anticipating" with a more common and straightforward expression of expectation.

in anticipation of playing

A slightly more formal variant of the original phrase.

eager to play

Expresses a strong desire and enthusiasm for playing.

expecting to play

Uses a more direct verb ("expecting") to indicate anticipation.

awaiting the opportunity to play

Adds a sense of eagerness and opportunity to the anticipation.

with the expectation of playing

More formal and emphasizes the belief that playing will occur.

planning to play

Focuses on the intention and planning aspect of playing.

envisaging playing

Similar to "foreseeing", but with a stronger sense of mental imagery.

foreseeing playing

Emphasizes the act of seeing or predicting oneself playing.

contemplating playing

Suggests a more thoughtful consideration of the act of playing.

FAQs

What does "anticipating playing" mean?

The phrase "anticipating playing" means expecting or looking forward to participating in a game, sport, or other activity. It suggests a sense of excitement or preparation for the event.

What can I say instead of "anticipating playing"?

You can use alternatives like "looking forward to playing", "expecting to play", or "eager to play" depending on the context.

Is "anticipating to play" grammatically correct?

No, "anticipating to play" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "anticipating playing", where "playing" is a gerund. Alternatively, you could say "expecting to play".

How formal is the phrase "anticipating playing"?

The phrase "anticipating playing" is moderately formal. It's suitable for professional or semi-formal contexts but might sound a bit stilted in very casual conversation. Phrases like "looking forward to playing" or "excited to play" are more informal.