expecting to die

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expecting to die" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone anticipates or believes that death is imminent or likely. Example: "After the accident, he lay there, expecting to die, but miraculously survived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Della was expecting to die any moment.

The New Yorker

"He'd entered this war expecting to die, expecting each day to be his last.

The New York Times - Books

In his neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Martin said, "you grew up expecting to die".

The New York Times - Sports

Martin lived in a neighborhood where "you grew up expecting to die".

The New York Times - Sports

Dzhokhar was discovered, wounded and expecting to die, inside a dry-docked boat in the suburb of Watertown.

The New Yorker

They would take the Nobel Peace Prize, and then go home, expecting to die in the next hour.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

She had, Mark says, expected to die.

Independent

Some are expected to die.

The New York Times

I expected to die soon.

The New York Times - Magazine

He never expected to die.

The Guardian - Music

He also said he expected to die.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expecting to die", ensure that the context clearly establishes the reason for the expectation, such as a terminal illness, dangerous situation, or suicidal intent.

Common error

Avoid using "expecting to die" when the situation only suggests a possibility of death, not a strong likelihood. "Fearing death" or "contemplating death" may be more appropriate in uncertain situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expecting to die" functions primarily as a participial phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of anticipating or believing that death is imminent. Ludwig AI's examples showcase this use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expecting to die" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express the anticipation or belief that death is imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers various examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral, its emotional impact hinges on the surrounding narrative. Alternatives like "anticipating death" or "facing death" can provide nuanced expressions of the same concept. Avoid using the phrase when only a possibility of death exists; more tentative language may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating death

Focuses on the anticipation aspect, highlighting the mental preparation for death.

awaiting death

Emphasizes the act of waiting for death to occur, often passively.

facing death

Highlights the confrontation with death, suggesting courage or resignation.

prepared to die

Implies a state of readiness or acceptance of death.

resigned to death

Suggests acceptance and lack of resistance towards impending death.

on the verge of death

Indicates being very close to death, at the edge of life.

nearing death

Implies that death is approaching, but not necessarily imminent.

close to death

Similar to 'nearing death', but can also indicate being in critical condition.

about to die

Indicates that death is imminent and will occur very soon.

dying soon

A simple statement indicating that death is expected in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "expecting to die" in a sentence?

You can use "expecting to die" to describe someone who believes their death is imminent. For example, "After the accident, he was "expecting to die", but he miraculously survived."

What are some alternatives to "expecting to die"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "anticipating death", "facing death", or "prepared to die".

Is it better to say "expecting to die" or "waiting to die"?

Both phrases are valid, but ""expecting to die"" suggests a belief or anticipation of imminent death, while "waiting to die" implies a more passive acceptance of death as an unavoidable outcome.

What is the difference between "expecting to die" and "hoping to die"?

"Expecting to die" indicates an anticipation or belief that death is likely or imminent, whereas "hoping to die" suggests a desire for death, often as a release from suffering or a difficult situation.