are expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

'are expecting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that you expect to happen in the future. Example: We are expecting another snowstorm tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"People are expecting better.

The New York Times

Bank employees are expecting layoffs.

The New York Times

We are expecting more".

The Guardian

"We are expecting violence.

The Guardian

We are expecting this".

The New York Times

"We are expecting casualties," he said.

The New York Times

"And we are expecting good things.

The New York Times

They are expecting a packed stadium.

The New York Times

We are expecting a lot more people".

The New York Times - Sports

My husband and I are expecting.

The New York Times

They are expecting another child in September.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are expecting" when referring to something anticipated or likely to happen. Ensure that the subject agrees in number (plural) and the context is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "are expecting" with singular subjects. It's grammatically incorrect to say "He are expecting"; instead, use "He is expecting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are expecting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or a future event that is anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are expecting" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to express anticipation or expectation about a future event. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase sees frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider more formal alternatives like "anticipate" or "project" in professional contexts. Remember to avoid using it with singular subjects, as this results in grammatical errors. The diverse examples provided by Ludwig highlight the phrase's versatility and widespread applicability in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate

Focuses on predicting or foreseeing something.

awaiting

Emphasizes waiting for something to occur.

looking forward to

Highlights a positive expectation or excitement about something.

foresee

Implies seeing or knowing something in advance.

projecting

Suggests making a prediction or estimate based on current data.

forecasting

Similar to projecting but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

predicting

States an expectation about something in the future.

envisaging

Implies imagining or visualizing a future event.

contemplating

Focuses on thinking about or considering a future event.

foretelling

Suggests predicting the future, often with a mystical or prophetic connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "are expecting" in a sentence?

Use "are expecting" to express anticipation for a future event or outcome. For example, "They are expecting a large crowd at the concert."

What's a formal alternative to "are expecting"?

In formal contexts, consider using "anticipate" or "project" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is expecting" instead of "are expecting"?

No, "is expecting" is used for singular subjects, while "are expecting" is used for plural subjects or when the subject is "you". Using the wrong form results in grammatical errors.

How does "are expecting" differ from "were expecting"?

"Are expecting" refers to a current or future expectation, while "were expecting" indicates a past expectation. For example, "We are expecting guests tomorrow" vs. "We were expecting rain yesterday."