inheriting

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "inheriting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to receiving something, such as traits, property, or responsibilities, from someone else, typically a family member. Example: "She is inheriting her grandmother's jewelry." Alternative expressions include "receiving" and "acquiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His only income is a pension of £510 a month, said Wright, though the minister had access to other assets after inheriting his mother's estate following her death in 2012.

The Guardian

Longford gave the family seat, Tullynally Castle in Co Westmeath, to his son and heir in 1961 upon inheriting it.

The Guardian

But in many cases, these women found other ways to perpetuate their own surnames, thus cheating the companion tradition that had arisen from that of the wife taking her husband's surname: that of the children inheriting the paternal surname, too.

The Guardian - Books

It is only seven years since Bournemouth began a League Two campaign with minus 17 points, Howe inheriting a side apparently destined for non-league.

The Guardian - Sport

If the feel-good factor is slowly returning to Old Trafford, there was a reminder that Van Gaal is inheriting a club where discontent lingers just beneath the surface.

The Guardian - Sport

His son Harry Osborn, played by Dane DeHaan, is seen inheriting Oscorp Industries, the multimillion-dollar corporation founded by Norman.

The Guardian - Film

Saunders told Chesterfield's website: "It is a great opportunity as this is a club on the rise, run by good people, and I am inheriting a very good team from Paul Cook.

The Guardian - Sport

Early onset Alzheimer's, which is thought to account for fewer than one in 1,000 cases, is typically diagnosed before the age of 60 to 65, and genetic causes of familial Alzheimer's have been identified which indicate that with a parent having the disease an individual usually has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.

The Guardian

Students attending the Columbus rally spoke of Mr Obama inheriting a mess that no leader could fix in one term.

The Economist

Here he is on even trickier ground, inheriting a banking system in need of more capital and an economy short of credit.

The Economist

But since inheriting the Syria franchise from his father Hafez in 2000, the son has turned out to be a remarkably inept dictator.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inheriting", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being inherited and from whom or what it is being inherited. Providing this context adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "inheriting" when you mean "inherent". "Inheriting" refers to receiving something, while "inherent" describes a quality that is intrinsic or naturally part of something. For example, instead of saying "The design is inheriting flaws", say "The design has inherent flaws".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inheriting" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of "inherit". It describes an ongoing action of receiving something, whether it's property, traits, responsibilities, or even problems. As Ludwig AI suggests, its use is grammatically correct and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inheriting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that describes the act of receiving something, be it tangible assets, responsibilities, or characteristics. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase sees common usage across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. When using "inheriting", ensure that the context clearly identifies both what is being inherited and its source to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "receiving" or "acquiring" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. A common error involves confusing "inheriting" with "inherent", so pay close attention to the intended meaning. The context dictates a neutral level of formality, and it's a versatile word to use in many different writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Receiving

Focuses on the act of getting something, emphasizing the transfer from one to another.

Acquiring

Highlights the process of gaining possession or control, often through effort or purchase.

Succeeding to

Implies following someone in a position or role, often with a sense of legacy or entitlement.

Taking over

Suggests assuming control or responsibility, often in a business or organizational context.

Falling heir to

Emphasizes the role of being an heir and the automatic nature of receiving something.

Coming into

Focuses on the moment of gaining possession, especially of money or property.

Being bequeathed

Highlights that the inheritance is given as a gift, typically via a will.

Deriving

Focuses on obtaining or developing something from a source.

Gaining possession of

Stresses the act of obtaining ownership of something.

Assuming

Emphasizes taking on responsibility or control.

FAQs

How can I use "inheriting" in a sentence?

You can use "inheriting" to describe receiving property, traits, or responsibilities. For instance, "She is inheriting her grandmother's estate" or "The new manager is "inheriting a difficult situation"".

What are some alternatives to using the word "inheriting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "receiving", "acquiring", or "succeeding to". For example, instead of "inheriting the throne", you could say "succeeding to the throne".

Is it correct to say someone is "inheriting problems"?

Yes, it's correct. "Inheriting problems" means that someone is taking on or dealing with existing issues from a predecessor or a previous situation. For example, "The new CEO is "inheriting significant debts"".

What's the difference between "inheriting" and "inheriting from"?

"Inheriting" implies receiving something, while "inheriting from" specifies the source of what is being received. For example, "He is inheriting a fortune" versus "He is "inheriting from his father"". Both are correct but provide different levels of detail.