expecting to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expecting to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing anticipation or belief regarding a future action or outcome. Example: "She is expecting to do well on her exam after studying hard all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others, however, are expecting to do better.

Independent

It seems Gyanendra was not expecting to do so.

The Economist

"I was expecting to do something better," Rudisha said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll go in there expecting to do well," Rutherford said.

The Guardian - Sport

"I came here not expecting to do well," Rios said.

The New York Times - Sports

"No one's expecting to do business," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

"I wasn't expecting to do that at all.

The New York Times - Sports

Schlumberger were expecting to do the cement bond log.

The Guardian - Film

Will museum visitors be expecting to do something at the museum rather than be passive viewers?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So is Pasok, which although expecting to do badly did not foresee being overtaken by Syriza.

The Economist

I was expecting to do a little bit more work than that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expecting to do" when you have a reasonable basis for believing something will occur, based on prior experience, planning, or evidence. It accurately conveys anticipation and confidence in the outcome.

Common error

While "expecting to do" is versatile, avoid overusing it in strictly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "anticipate", "intend", or "plan" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expecting to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing anticipation or a projected future action. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is common across various contexts, indicating a degree of certainty or planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expecting to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase to express anticipation or intention regarding a future action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly within News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the context and choose more precise synonyms like "anticipate" or "intend" for formal writing. Remember that while "expecting" implies a reasonable degree of certainty, using "hoping" might be more suitable when expressing a wish without strong justification. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "expecting to do" or select alternative phrases to convey the precise meaning they intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to do

Emphasizes the purpose and determination behind an action; suggests a firm decision has been made.

planning to do

Highlights the intention and arrangement to carry out an action; emphasizes the preparatory aspect.

aiming to do

Suggests a goal-oriented approach, with effort directed towards achieving a specific outcome.

scheduled to do

Implies a formal arrangement or timetable; emphasizes the pre-determined nature of the action.

anticipating doing

Focuses on looking forward to an event with a sense of excitement or eagerness; emphasizes a stronger degree of certainty.

preparing to do

Emphasizes the actions taken to get ready for a future event; focuses on the process rather than the expectation.

hoping to do

Expresses a wish or desire for something to happen; implies less certainty than "expecting".

about to do

Indicates that an action will occur very soon; emphasizes immediacy and imminence.

looking forward to doing

Highlights positive anticipation and enjoyment of a future event; suggests a more informal and personal tone.

supposed to do

Indicates an obligation or duty; suggests that an action is required or expected by others.

FAQs

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

You can use "expecting to do" to express anticipation of a future action. For example, "I am expecting to do well on this test" or "The company is expecting to do more business next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "expecting to do"?

Alternatives include "planning to do", "intending to do", "anticipating doing", or "hoping to do", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

"Expecting to do" implies a higher degree of confidence or certainty based on some evidence or planning, while "hoping to do" expresses a wish or desire without necessarily having a strong basis for belief. Consider this contrast: "I'm expecting to pass the exam after studying diligently," versus "I'm hoping to pass the exam even though I didn't study much."

Is it ever incorrect to use "expecting to do"?

While grammatically correct, using "expecting to do" might be inappropriate if the context requires a more formal or precise term. Also, avoid using it if there is no reasonable basis for your expectation; otherwise, it might sound presumptuous or unrealistic.