expect to be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

'expect to be doing' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express an idea of something that will likely happen in the future. For example, "I expect to be doing a lot of reading over the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

What sort of work do you expect to be doing?

The New York Times

We expect to be doing that for years to come.

The New York Times

She doesn't expect to be doing it long.

The Guardian

"That's work I expect to be doing in the next few months.

The New York Times

Graduates often expect to be doing intellectually-stimulating work straight away.

The Guardian

That's always been my line, and that's what I expect to be doing at Oxford".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We expect to be done in a few weeks' time".

The New York Times

Briefly explain what went wrong and say what you expect to be done about your complaint.

The Guardian

Note I didn't say, "when you expect to be done".

Huffington Post

"I never expected to be doing my son's funeral.

The Guardian

A computer network to track foreign students is expected to be doing the job early next year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context; if a more formal or specific tone is needed, use "expect that I will be doing" or a similar alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "expect to be doing" when referring to absolutely certain or scheduled events. This phrase suggests a degree of uncertainty or anticipation, not a confirmed arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect to be doing" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation of an ongoing activity in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in English. The auxiliary verb "to be" followed by the gerund "doing" indicates a continuous or progressive action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expect to be doing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase to express anticipation regarding future activities. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, it conveys a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. While similar to phrases like "anticipate doing" or "plan to be doing", "expect to be doing" specifically implies a blend of anticipation and reasonable certainty. When writing, remember that this phrase indicates a probable ongoing action, not a definite plan, and choose alternatives for situations requiring more formality or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expect that I will be doing

Adds a specific subject and more formality.

anticipate doing

Focuses more on looking forward to an action.

intend to be doing

Highlights a firm intention regarding a future activity.

plan to be doing

Emphasizes the planning aspect of a future activity.

look forward to doing

Expresses a positive anticipation of a future activity.

foresee oneself doing

Adds a sense of prediction or seeing into the future.

envisage oneself doing

Highlights the visualization of oneself performing the action.

presume to be engaged in

Implies an assumption of involvement in a future activity.

imagine being in the process of

Focuses on the mental image of the action in progress.

project to be working on

Highlights projecting future tasks, more professional oriented.

FAQs

How can I use "expect to be doing" in a sentence?

You can use "expect to be doing" to express your anticipation for a future ongoing action. For example, "I "expect to be doing" a lot of reading this summer".

What's the difference between "expect to be doing" and "hope to be doing"?

"Expect to be doing" implies a reasonable anticipation based on current conditions, while "hope to be doing" expresses a desire or wish for a future action.

What can I say instead of "expect to be doing"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate doing", "plan to be doing", or "intend to be doing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am expecting to be doing"?

Yes, "I am expecting to be doing" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express an expectation for a future, ongoing action.