while expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening at the same time as someone is anticipating a particular outcome or event. Example: "She continued to work on her project while expecting feedback from her supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He abused his underlings while expecting their adulation in return.

The New York Times

Dr. Oster's thoughts on drinking alcohol while expecting have already generated controversy.

The New York Times

(Be sure to contact your own physician before using while expecting).

The New York Times

In effect, they have slowed us down while expecting us to do more work.

The Guardian - Opinion

They will keep making the same mistakes, while expecting a different outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sacking staff while expecting those who remain to deal with more customers has, unsurprisingly, led to strikes at Banespa.

The Economist

Most European governments wanted the cake and eat it, too — remain nation-states politically while expecting solidarity economically.

The New York Times

To stand still and do nothing, while expecting reason to prevail, is dangerous and may prove fatal.

Independent

(mamamio.com, $35) Skinceuticals Phytocorrective Gel Some women find their complexion improves while expecting; others get blotchy, irritated and supersensitive.

The New York Times

Further, fishers cared about ecosystem sustainability and, because NTZs would not significantly limit their main economic activity, endorsed the initiative while expecting additional benefits.

Marine Policy

It's commonly said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while expecting" to indicate simultaneous actions where one involves anticipation. For example, "She reviewed the report while expecting a call from the client."

Common error

Avoid using "while expecting" when the expectation does not directly relate to the ongoing action. For example, instead of "He cooked dinner while expecting it to rain", try "He cooked dinner, expecting it to rain later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while expecting" functions as a conjunction, connecting two clauses to indicate that an action is occurring simultaneously with an expectation or anticipation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate the phrase's use in various contexts to link ongoing activities with anticipated outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while expecting" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to link simultaneous actions with an element of anticipation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. Though versatile, writers should ensure that the anticipated outcome is directly related to the ongoing action to maintain clarity. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's utility in conveying nuanced temporal relationships across various subjects. Although formal alternatives exist such as "whilst anticipating" the core meaning remains largely consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whilst anticipating

Replaces "while" with "whilst", and "expecting" with "anticipating", both synonymous but slightly more formal.

as they anticipate

Emphasizes the act of anticipating and replaces "while" to change the sentence structure.

during anticipation of

Transforms the phrase into a prepositional one, focusing on the period of anticipation.

in expectation of

Expresses a formal tone, implying a sense of certainty about what is awaited.

awaiting expectantly

Highlights the state of waiting with positive anticipation, changing the word order.

looking forward to

Indicates positive anticipation and eagerness about something in the future.

pending the expectation of

Uses "pending" to suggest something is awaiting a particular outcome.

with the anticipation of

Focuses on the feeling and state of anticipation itself.

in hopes of

Implies a desired outcome that is not yet certain, introducing a degree of uncertainty.

as they foresee

Replaces "expecting" with "foresee", indicating a prediction or anticipation of future events.

FAQs

How can I use "while expecting" in a sentence?

Use "while expecting" to show that two actions are happening at the same time, and one action involves anticipating something. For example: "She proofread the document "while expecting" feedback from her supervisor".

What are some alternatives to "while expecting"?

You can use phrases such as "whilst anticipating", "as they anticipate", or "in expectation of" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "while expecting" in formal writing?

Yes, "while expecting" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, depending on the specific context, more formal alternatives like "whilst anticipating" or "in expectation of" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "while expecting" and "while anticipating"?

"While expecting" and "while anticipating" are very similar. "Expecting" often implies a stronger degree of certainty or confidence in the outcome, whereas "anticipating" can suggest a more general sense of looking forward to something.