anticipation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anticipation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the feeling of excitement or expectation about something that is going to happen in the future. Example: "The anticipation of the upcoming concert filled the air with excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The term "nervous" is on every rider and manager's lips when asked to describe the demands of the early phase of the race, but what they mean is more complex than a few shivers of anticipation at the prospect of a tricky bit of road or two.

The Guardian - Sport

The ISC report may have been written before they were published but one cannot help but speculate that the anticipation of those rulings was a major factor behind this new move towards transparency.

The Guardian

The passion for books is palpable, and the life of the mind celebrated whether fiction or cookbooks, poetry, biography or science, or politics, or philosophy or architecture or history – and always an air of anticipation, especially this year when the referendum on Scottish independence will be just a month away, and the festival an arena for debate just as it was last year.

The Guardian - Books

Podolski practically stopped in anticipation of the whistle and even Wenger said it was a foul.

The Guardian - Sport

In anticipation of losing electricity, Zhi has connected his power cables to the electricity mast beside his house.

The Guardian

I've always said any anticipation of things I might do as prime minister is a measuring-the-curtains question.

The Guardian

"No one was really expecting a major debt ceiling showdown or changes in tapering, but anticipation is one thing, and the experience is another," said John Carey, portfolio manager at Pioneer Investment Management in Boston.

The Guardian

Fans used to roar with anticipation before his set-pieces, and he would play to the crowd by placing a coloured handkerchief over the ball and whipping it off like a magician before hoofing it in the general direction of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

"After May 22, 2015, the National Security Agency will need to begin taking steps to wind down the bulk telephone metadata program in anticipation of a possible sunset in order to ensure that it does not engage in any unauthorized collection or use of the metadata," states the memo, circulated on Capitol Hill and first reported by National Journal.

The Guardian

The notion that England now is shuddering in the same sort of anticipation gripped both of our imaginations.

The Guardian

At this, Lost in Showbiz confesses, it felt a certain prickle of prurient anticipation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anticipation" to convey a sense of excitement or eagerness about an upcoming event. It can also be used to describe actions taken in preparation for something expected.

Common error

Avoid using "anticipation" when "expectation" is more appropriate. "Anticipation" often carries a stronger emotional charge of excitement or anxiety, while "expectation" is a more neutral term for anticipating something.

Linguistic Context

The noun "anticipation" functions primarily as a subject or object within sentences, expressing the act of looking forward to something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in conveying eagerness or preparation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anticipation" is a versatile noun that conveys a state of looking forward to something, often with excitement or preparation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's frequently found in news, business, and sports contexts. While interchangeable with terms like "expectation", "anticipation" carries a stronger emotional charge. When writing, use "anticipation" to express eagerness or preparation, and consider "expectation" for more neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expectation

Replaces "anticipation" with a more general term for expecting something to happen.

eagerness

Focuses on the enthusiasm and excitement associated with awaiting something.

expectancy

Similar to "expectation" but can imply a stronger sense of certainty.

foreknowledge

Emphasizes prior awareness or understanding of an event.

prospect

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of a future occurrence.

lookout

Suggests vigilance and readiness for something anticipated.

premonition

Implies a feeling or intuition about a future event, often negative.

precognition

Suggests a supernatural or extrasensory awareness of future events.

foretaste

Implies a small experience of something before it fully arrives.

awaiting

Highlights the act of waiting for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "anticipation" in a sentence?

"Anticipation" is a noun that describes the act of looking forward to something. For example, "The "anticipation of" the holidays filled the children with joy."

What's the difference between "anticipation" and "expectation"?

"Anticipation" implies a sense of excitement or eagerness, while "expectation" is a more neutral term for something believed to be likely to happen. Use "anticipation" when you want to convey a strong emotional connection to the upcoming event.

What are some synonyms for "anticipation"?

Some synonyms for "anticipation" include "eagerness", "expectancy", and "foreknowledge", each with slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use "in anticipation of"?

Use "in anticipation of" to describe actions taken to prepare for something expected to happen. For example, "The company increased its inventory "in anticipation of" increased demand."