she is expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she is expecting" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that the person referred to is pregnant. Example: "Mary is overjoyed because she is expecting her first child in a few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is expecting their first child.

The New Yorker

She is expecting more, she said.

The New York Times

She is expecting a child, she said.

The New Yorker

She is expecting twin girls later this month.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, at 43, she is expecting again -- an 11th boy.

The New York Times

She is expecting a baby with the actor Sam Hoare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is expecting their first baby, due in six weeks.

The New York Times

She is expecting their second child in December.

The New York Times

His wife can't be, because she is expecting their second child.

Independent

Janet tells writer she has to go, as she is expecting a call from a harpist.

The New Yorker

She hopes he will be home by October, when she is expecting their first child.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she is expecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being expected (e.g., "She is expecting a baby", "She is expecting a promotion"). This clarifies the meaning and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "she is expecting" without specifying what she expects, as it can leave the reader wondering about the nature of the expectation. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she is expecting" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. It indicates an action or state that is ongoing or will happen in the near future. Ludwig provides numerous examples, indicating widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she is expecting" is a very common expression, primarily used to convey that a woman is pregnant or anticipating a future event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it most often refers to pregnancy, it can also denote anticipation of other events or outcomes. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify what is being expected to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "she anticipates" or "she is looking forward to", each with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she is pregnant

Specifically refers to expecting a child.

she is anticipating

Uses the present continuous form of "anticipate", similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

she anticipates

Changes the verb to a simple present tense, focusing on the act of anticipation.

she is awaiting

A more continuous and active sense of waiting.

she is looking forward to

Emphasizes the positive sentiment associated with the expectation.

she awaits

Replaces "expecting" with "awaits", indicating a more patient or formal anticipation.

she anticipates receiving

More specific, indicating that she expects to get something.

she foresees

Indicates anticipation based on insight or prediction.

she is counting on

Highlights reliance and certainty in the expectation.

she is about to receive

Implies the event is imminent.

FAQs

What does "she is expecting" mean?

The phrase "she is expecting" generally means that a woman is pregnant. However, depending on context, it can also mean that she anticipates or awaits something, such as a delivery or a phone call.

What can I say instead of "she is expecting" to mean pregnant?

If you specifically want to convey that someone is pregnant, you can use phrases such as "she is pregnant", "she is with child", or "she is carrying a baby".

How to use "she is expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "she is expecting" in a sentence like, "She is expecting her first child next spring" or "She is expecting a package from her family."

What's the difference between "she is expecting" and "she hopes"?

"She is expecting" implies a higher degree of certainty or anticipation based on some evidence or arrangement. "She hopes" indicates a desire or wish, without necessarily any strong reason to believe it will happen.