has been expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that has been expected for a long period of time. For example: "The family has been expecting a response from the bank for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wall Street has been expecting earnings of $1.82.

The New York Times

Private equity has been expecting a flood of opportunities.

The New York Times

This is not what the American public has been expecting".

The New York Times

"The government has been expecting this decision and will appeal," Mr. Myers said.

The New York Times - Health

The White House has been expecting a surge of new employment as growth picks up.

The New York Times

The market has been expecting the Bank of Japan to raise the nation's discount rate.

The New York Times

He has been expecting this question and waiting months to give an answer.

The Guardian - Sport

Keilin says: "I think the falloff in revenue will be sharper than anybody has been expecting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The deal has been expected for months.

The New York Times

She has been expected to blend in.

The New York Times - Sports

The move has been expected for months.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been expecting" when you want to convey a sustained anticipation over a period, whether it's a short or extended duration.

Common error

Avoid using "has been expecting" when referring to a one-time expectation in the past. Instead, use "was expecting" or "had been expecting" for past simple or past perfect scenarios respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been expecting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been expecting" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to express an ongoing anticipation or expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business communications. While there are many alternatives, such as "has been anticipating" or "has been awaiting", the best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. Remember to use the correct tense and avoid using it for one-time past expectations. The term "has been expecting" serves as a great way to add greater detail and sophistication to your communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been anticipating

Focuses more on proactive expectation and preparation.

has been awaiting

Implies a passive state of waiting for something to occur.

has been looking forward to

Conveys a sense of pleasure and eagerness.

has been counting on

Suggests reliance and dependence on the expected event.

has been banking on

Similar to counting on, but more informal and implies risk.

has foreseen

Indicates prediction or anticipation based on insight.

has been predicting

Emphasizes forecasting or foretelling a future event.

has been prepared for

Highlights readiness and anticipation of a potential event.

has been resigned to

Implies acceptance of an anticipated outcome, often negative.

has been anticipating the arrival of

More specific and emphasizes the coming of a person or thing.

FAQs

How do I use "has been expecting" in a sentence?

Use "has been expecting" to indicate that someone anticipated something for some time. For example, "The company "has been expecting" the audit results for several weeks".

What can I say instead of "has been expecting"?

You can use alternatives like "has been anticipating", "has been awaiting", or "has been looking forward to", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has been expecting" or "was expecting"?

"Has been expecting" implies a prolonged period of anticipation, while "was expecting" refers to a specific expectation at a point in the past. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "has been expecting" and "had been expecting"?

"Has been expecting" indicates anticipation that started in the past and continues to the present, while "had been expecting" refers to an expectation completed in the past before another event.