expectant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'expectant' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing someone or something as expecting something, especially with hopeful anticipation. For example, "The expectant crowd waited anxiously for the announcement of the winner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Brighton rarely threatened the Watford goal while Abdi twice went close in front of the visitors' expectant supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

In the warped thinking of the profoundly Catholic yet murderous generals who ruled Argentina then, it would have been unchristian to kill an innocent, unborn child by executing the expectant mother.

The Guardian

Every iPhone and iPad release since 2007 has been accompanied by long lines of expectant fans queuing around the block – often for days and nights – ahead the new gadgets going on sale.

The Guardian - Tech

On closer inspection the greenery is arranged in ritualistic fashion, sticks of celery fanning out around the body of the woman like a halo, and as the camera pans down the expectant mother's body a splash of red flashes across the screen.

The Guardian

We had landed the night before in the warm, sweaty dark and now had the expectant thrill of throwing back the curtains on not just a new day but a whole new world.

The Guardian - Travel

In 2014, "we are getting out of this," he told the circle of expectant, upturned faces he had beckoned near.

The New York Times

One is enough, and I hope it is a girl, said expectant mother Yu Nan, 25. "It is very nice to be the only child; you don't need to share or grab things from others.

The Guardian

We talked about what it's like to be young, in a town like Ammanford, and expectant of some kind of life.

The Guardian

But I was wrong, judging by the massed ranks of ecstatically expectant pre-adolescent girls at the multiplex this weekend.

The Guardian - Film

It wedges its nose under my hand and looks up at me with cloudy, expectant eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The students have the same questions and worries as expectant parents the world over.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expectant" to convey a sense of hopeful anticipation, especially when describing crowds or individuals awaiting an event. For instance, "The expectant audience fell silent as the conductor raised his baton."

Common error

Avoid using "expectant" when simply stating an expectation without a sense of anticipation or pregnancy. Instead of saying "I am expectant that the project will succeed", use "I expect that the project will succeed."

Linguistic Context

The word "expectant" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of anticipation or pregnancy. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts like "expectant supporters" or "expectant mother", aligning with the grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expectant" is a versatile adjective used to express anticipation or pregnancy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, especially in news and formal contexts. When writing, use "expectant" to add a sense of hopeful anticipation or to specifically denote the state of pregnancy. Be mindful to avoid using it in place of simple expectation. While alternatives like "anticipating" or "hopeful" can sometimes substitute, context is key to ensure the most accurate and impactful word choice. Top sources like The Economist, The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating

Focuses on the act of looking forward to something, emphasizing a mental state.

hopeful

Highlights the feeling of optimism and positive expectation.

awaiting

Emphasizes the act of waiting for something to happen.

pregnant

Specifically refers to the state of carrying a child.

with child

An idiomatic expression for pregnancy, often used in more formal contexts.

in anticipation

Highlights a state of excitement or eagerness before an event.

on tenterhooks

Expresses a state of nervous anticipation or suspense.

looking forward to

Indicates a positive expectation and eagerness for something in the future.

full of anticipation

Emphasizes the feeling of excitement and eagerness before an event.

in a family way

A euphemistic term for pregnancy.

FAQs

How can I use "expectant" in a sentence?

The word "expectant" can be used to describe someone or something anticipating something, often with hope. For example, "The "expectant parents" eagerly awaited the arrival of their baby."

What are some synonyms for "expectant"?

Alternatives to "expectant" include "anticipating", "hopeful", and when referring to pregnancy, "pregnant".

Is it correct to use "expectant" to describe a non-pregnant person?

Yes, "expectant" can describe someone anticipating an event with excitement or hope. However, in common usage, it is often associated with pregnancy, so context is important.

What's the difference between "expectant" and "expecting"?

"Expectant" is an adjective describing a state of anticipation or pregnancy, while "expecting" is a verb describing the act of anticipating something or being pregnant. For example, "She is an "expectant mother"" vs. "She is "expecting" a baby".