greatly anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

"greatly anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is eagerly awaited or excitedly looked forward to. For example, "The release of the new video game is greatly anticipated by gamers everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

This weekend's program is greatly anticipated.

The New York Times

General Petraeus's comments, on the other hand, were greatly anticipated.

The New York Times

Thornton is yet is direct a follow-up feature drama; his next will be greatly anticipated.

The Guardian - Film

The most-recent appearance of Halley's Comet in 1986 was greatly anticipated.

Britannica

Alexis is staying with Patsy and Bill Romine, whose daughters, Ali, 9, and Miranda, 6, have greatly anticipated her arrival.

The New York Times

"Coaches throughout the N.F.L. were excited to have their players back and the players greatly anticipated getting back to work.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I am greatly anticipating such fall movies as "Zero Dark Thirty" (Kathyrn Bigelow's movie about the Navy Seals), Spielberg's "Lincoln, David O.. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook," the complicated "Cloud Atlas," and many other things.

The New Yorker

I am also greatly anticipating the new Brotherman graphic novel.

HuffPost

Living in near-poverty and greatly anticipating the publication of his books, Crane began work on two more novels: The Third Violet and George's Mother.

Wikipedia

I was greatly anticipating Hollywood for months before its arrival to the App Store, and I have been struggling to tamp down the overwhelming impulse to spend money on in-app purchases ever since.

Vice

Seven years ago this Sunday, I stood at the foot of the hallowed altar of a stunningly beautiful chapel donning tails, anxiously peering down a seemingly endless aisle, greatly anticipating the swinging forth of towering doors and the grand entrance of my bride.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly anticipated" to add emphasis to an event or outcome that is eagerly awaited by many. It's stronger than simply saying 'anticipated'.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly anticipated" in overly casual or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly formal when a simpler phrase like "looking forward to" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly anticipated" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it emphasizes that the noun it modifies is eagerly awaited or excitedly looked forward to.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatly anticipated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something that is eagerly awaited. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a range of contexts. While common in News & Media and Science, its slightly formal tone may make it less suitable for informal settings. Alternatives like "highly anticipated" or "eagerly awaited" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Using "greatly anticipated" effectively can emphasize the significance and broad interest surrounding a particular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly anticipated

Synonymous replacement with a slightly more common usage.

eagerly awaited

Emphasizes the eagerness of the wait rather than the scale of anticipation.

keenly expected

Highlights the intensity of the expectation.

long-awaited

Focuses on the duration of the wait, implying a sense of relief at its near end.

much-heralded

Suggests that the event has been widely publicized and praised beforehand.

widely foreseen

Emphasizes the broad awareness and predictability of the upcoming event.

confidently predicted

Highlights a level of certainty about something happening.

warmly welcomed

Shift from anticipation to active positive acceptance.

breathlessly awaited

Implies excitement, nervousness or anxiety over waiting.

touted

Suggests something is highly promoted and talked about.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly anticipated" in a sentence?

"Greatly anticipated" is used to describe something that people are eagerly waiting for. For example, "The release of the new novel is greatly anticipated by fans."

What can I say instead of "greatly anticipated"?

You can use alternatives like "highly anticipated", "eagerly awaited", or "long-awaited" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "greatly anticipated" or "highly anticipated"?

Both "greatly anticipated" and "highly anticipated" are correct and widely used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "greatly anticipated" and "warmly welcomed"?

"Greatly anticipated" describes the feeling before an event, while "warmly welcomed" describes the reception after an event has occurred. The first refers to expectation, the second to acceptance and approval.