expecting to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expecting to find" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing what you anticipate discovering or uncovering in a particular situation or context. Example: "While researching the topic, I was expecting to find new insights that would enhance my understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"What are you expecting to find there?

The New York Times - Sports

They come here expecting to find paradise, and it isn't.

The New York Times

— Do not come here expecting to find optimism.

The New York Times

I'm not really expecting to find Susan Boyle here.

The Guardian - Music

I turned to my right, expecting to find Hal.

The New Yorker

"I'm expecting to find out everything that happened," he said.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, expecting to find kernels, I couldn't resist trying it.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was always expecting to find Clara Anahí.

The New Yorker

"He's not someone where I'm expecting to find a lot of skeletons".

The New York Times

After such a great performance I was expecting to find him in a good mood.

Independent

I grabbed his phone and checked the screen expecting to find him in mid-online bloodbath.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expecting to find" to set up a contrast in your writing. It's effective when followed by a description of what was actually found, especially if it differs from the initial expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "expecting to find" in overly passive constructions. For example, instead of writing "It was expecting to find by the team", prefer "The team was expecting to find".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expecting to find" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often serving as a progressive aspect indicating anticipation of a discovery. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expecting to find" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey anticipation or expectation of discovering something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure the expectation is reasonably grounded and consider contrasting the expected outcome with the actual result for a more compelling narrative. Be mindful of passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating to locate

Formally expresses expectation of discovery, replacing 'find' with 'locate'.

looking forward to discovering

Indicates a positive expectation of finding something new or interesting, adding an element of eagerness.

hoping to uncover

Implies a wish or desire to reveal something hidden, changing the expectation to a hope.

planning to detect

Suggests a structured approach to finding something, with a focus on detecting its presence.

aiming to reveal

Indicates an intent to bring something to light, shifting the focus from the act of finding to the act of revealing.

presuming I'll stumble upon

Suggests an element of chance or serendipity in finding something, replacing expectation with presumption.

assuming to come across

Expresses an assumption of encountering something, adding an element of chance.

reckoning on discovering

Indicates a calculation or reliance on finding something, replacing expectation with a more calculated anticipation.

intending to unearth

Emphasizes the effort involved in discovering something, suggesting a process of digging up or uncovering.

figuring on running into

Suggests an informal and somewhat accidental encounter, changing the tone from expectation to casual anticipation.

FAQs

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

Use "expecting to find" to describe what someone anticipates discovering. For example, "The researchers were "expecting to find" evidence of a new species".

What's a more formal alternative to "expecting to find"?

A more formal alternative is "anticipating to discover" or "anticipating to locate". For example, "The scientists were "anticipating to discover" new data points".

Is it always necessary to state what was found after "expecting to find"?

While not always necessary, stating what was actually found after using "expecting to find" can create a more compelling narrative, especially if there's a contrast between expectation and reality.

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

"Expecting to find" implies a higher degree of certainty or reason to believe something will be discovered, while "hoping to find" suggests a wish or desire with less basis in evidence.