expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'expecting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are anticipating something that is about to happen. For example: I am expecting a package to arrive tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Following the pre-close update where management lowered expectations, we are not expecting surprises in the headline numbers; instead our focus will be on the detail in terms of capital and asset quality.

The Guardian - Business

MPs and peers laughed as Merkel, who recalled her first visit to London in the spring of 1990 shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, said those expecting a "fundamental reform of the European architecture" in Britain's direction would be disappointed.

The Guardian

"I have also heard that others are expecting the exact opposite and are hoping that I will deliver the clear and simple message here in London that the rest of Europe is not prepared to pay almost any price to keep Britain in the EU.

The Guardian

Environment minister Greg Hunt has been out and about this morning on the ABC and on the doors at Parliament, "hoping and expecting but not presuming" the new senate will pass the carbon tax repeal bills, driving the final nail into the heart of Labor's emissions trading scheme.

The Guardian

France have tailored their training regime accordingly ever since their place in the last 16 was secured, with Deschamps describing a 1pm start as "unusual" and expecting the heat to have an impact on the pace of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

I wasn't expecting that!" Get those jobs done It's easy to forget just how much time is passing when you're browsing Facebook, or watching videos on YouTube.

The Guardian

Crucially, Snow examined that pump water expecting to see organic contamination.

The Guardian - Opinion

With everyone expecting a cross, Obraniak curls a delicious left-footed effort around the wall and into the side-netting with Cech standing still.

The Guardian - Sport

Only one in 10 of the schools surveyed was expecting to get funding from central government.

The Guardian

The notion is risible, and makes as much sense as expecting Carr to waste his time writing his own media releases, or reading media releases on the department of foreign affairs website.

The Guardian - Opinion

A curious thing about Rodríguez is that he seems a bit slow but he changes gear when the opposition are least expecting it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about pregnancy, use "expecting" to convey anticipation and joy. It's a gentle and positive term.

Common error

Avoid using "expecting" when you mean "hoping". "Expecting" implies a high degree of certainty, while "hoping" expresses a desire.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expecting" is as a present participle functioning as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "is expecting") or as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "expecting mother"). Ludwig AI confirms the versatile use of "expecting" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "expecting" is commonly used to express anticipation or pregnancy. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, business, and sports contexts. While "anticipating" and "awaiting" can serve as alternatives, "expecting" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communications. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "expecting" and "hoping", as the former implies a higher degree of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating

Focuses on looking forward to something, similar to expecting but slightly more formal.

awaiting

Implies waiting for something, often with a sense of formality or patience.

looking forward to

Expresses a positive sentiment about something that will happen in the future.

anticipating the arrival of

Specifically refers to expecting someone or something to arrive.

pregnant

Specifically refers to a woman carrying a child.

carrying a child

A more descriptive way of saying pregnant.

foreseeing

Suggests predicting or anticipating something based on insight or knowledge.

assuming

Implies believing something to be true without concrete proof.

presuming

Similar to assuming, but often based on probability or likelihood.

in the family way

An idiomatic expression for pregnancy.

FAQs

How to use "expecting" in a sentence?

"Expecting" can refer to anticipating an event or, in the context of pregnancy, awaiting the birth of a child. For example, "We are "expecting company" tonight" or "She is "expecting a baby" in the spring."

What can I say instead of "expecting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "anticipating", "awaiting", or "pregnant". Each has a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "I'm expecting for" something?

No, the correct preposition to use with "expecting" is "expecting something" or "expecting to do something". For example, "I am "expecting a call"" is correct, but "I'm expecting for a call" is not.

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

"Expecting" implies a strong belief that something will happen, whereas "hoping" suggests a wish or desire, but with less certainty. You are "expecting" something based on evidence or arrangements, while you are "hoping" for something you desire but cannot guarantee.