she was expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone's anticipation or belief that something will happen, often in the context of expecting a person or event. Example: "She was expecting a call from her friend about the meeting time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was expecting more".

The New York Times

She was expecting a man.

The Economist

She was expecting a child.

The Guardian

She was expecting something empowering.

The New Yorker

Not the hen night she was expecting".

The Guardian

decided to place the baby she was expecting for adoption.

The New Yorker

Possibly she was expecting something about equal pay.

The Guardian - Opinion

She was expecting to visit her father that weekend.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Four years ago she was expecting her first child.

The Guardian

He finds out why Miss Asia was surprised at her arrival - she was expecting a baby.

The New Yorker

The prep kitchen was run by Elisa Sarno, and she was expecting me at 7 A.M.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was expecting", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, especially if the intended meaning is pregnancy versus anticipating an event. If clarity is needed, rephrase using "she was pregnant" or "she anticipated".

Common error

Avoid using "she was expecting" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "she anticipated", "she awaited", or if referring to pregnancy, "she was pregnant" to enhance readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was expecting" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of anticipation or pregnancy. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The examples showcase its versatility in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was expecting" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey anticipation or pregnancy. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. While predominantly found in "News & Media", it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To avoid ambiguity, especially regarding pregnancy, consider using more explicit alternatives. When incorporating the phrase in writing, be mindful of overuse and explore related phrases to enhance clarity and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she anticipated

Focuses solely on the act of anticipation, removing the potential ambiguity related to pregnancy.

she was anticipating

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the expectation.

she awaited

A more formal way of saying she was waiting expectantly.

she was awaiting

Similar to 'she awaited' but with a slightly less formal tone.

she was pregnant

Directly states the pregnancy, if that's the intended meaning.

she was looking forward to

Expresses a positive anticipation of something.

she presumed

Highlights an assumption or belief about what would happen.

she thought she would receive

Focuses on the expectation of receiving something specific.

she believed she would get

Highlights a belief about a future event or outcome.

she had reason to believe

Indicates that there was a justification for her expectation.

FAQs

What does "she was expecting" mean?

The phrase "she was expecting" generally means that a woman anticipated something would happen, or that she was pregnant. The precise meaning depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "she was expecting"?

Alternatives include "she anticipated", "she awaited", or "she was pregnant", depending on the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "she was expecting"?

It's appropriate when referring to someone's anticipation of an event or when stating that someone was pregnant. Ensure the context provides sufficient clarity.

How can I avoid ambiguity when using "she was expecting"?

If referring to pregnancy, using the phrase "she was pregnant" removes any potential ambiguity. If referring to anticipation, consider alternatives like "she anticipated" or "she was anticipating".