have been expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has anticipated or awaited something over a period of time leading up to the present. Example: "I have been expecting your call all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some people have been expecting me.

The New York Times - Magazine

What could they have been expecting?

The New Yorker

I may have been expecting them.

The Guardian

She must have been expecting it.

The Guardian

"It's what I have been expecting," he said.

The New York Times

I have been expecting this cruise to be challenging.

The New York Times

He describes us as we have been, expecting no more.

The New York Times - Books

Analysts, on average, have been expecting earnings of 73 cents.

The New York Times

This is not what fans of the original Nineties party-girl have been expecting.

Independent

It was precisely the kind of plot that Jordanian and Arab officials have been expecting.

Independent

Analysts have been expecting a deal between Netflix and Nintendo for some time.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been expecting" to convey a sense of anticipation that has been building over time. For instance, "I have been expecting your call all week" indicates a prolonged period of anticipation.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unexpectedly when using "have been expecting". Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past perfect or present perfect continuous tense to avoid confusion. For example, instead of "I have been expecting him, but he didn't come", use "I had been expecting him, but he didn't come" if the expectation was in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been expecting" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action or state that began in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been expecting" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to express anticipation or prior knowledge. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, primarily in news and media contexts, but also suitable for business and everyday conversations. Common alternatives include "have been anticipating" and "have been awaiting". Be mindful of maintaining consistent tenses in surrounding sentences and avoiding unnecessary prepositions. The phrase is a reliable choice for conveying a sense of preparedness and anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been anticipating

Emphasizes proactive expectation, often with a sense of eagerness or preparation.

have been awaiting

Highlights a period of waiting, often for a specific event or outcome.

have been predicting

Focuses on foretelling or forecasting an event based on available information.

have been foreseeing

Suggests a deeper, perhaps intuitive, sense of anticipation.

have been looking forward to

Indicates a positive expectation and enjoyment of something in the future.

have been counting on

Implies reliance on something happening as expected.

have been prepared for

Highlights readiness and anticipation of potential events.

have been resigned to

Suggests accepting an expected outcome, often with a sense of inevitability.

have been braced for

Implies preparing oneself for a difficult or unpleasant event.

have been inviting

Signifies that something requested may happen.

FAQs

How can I use "have been expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "have been expecting" to express anticipation or expectation of something over a period. For example, "We have been expecting your arrival" or "Analysts have been expecting the company to report higher earnings".

What are some alternatives to "have been expecting"?

Alternatives include "have been anticipating", "have been awaiting", or "have been predicting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have been expecting for you"?

No, the correct usage is "I have been expecting you". The preposition "for" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "have been expecting" and "was expecting"?

"Have been expecting" implies a continuous expectation leading up to the present, while "was expecting" refers to an expectation at a specific point in the past. For example, "I have been expecting your call all day" versus "I was expecting your call yesterday".