with anticipation

USAGE SUMMARY

"with anticipation" is an idiomatic phrase that is correctly and commonly used in written English.
For example: We looked forward to the party with anticipation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kompany's eyes bulged with anticipation.

The New York Times - Sports

(Looks at Preminger with anticipation).

The New Yorker

I smiled with anticipation.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm breathless with anticipation.

The New York Times

It was Marianne Boesky, effervescent with anticipation.

The New Yorker

The boys wriggled with anticipation.

The Guardian - Travel

Ms. Mimura bounced with anticipation.

The New York Times

I wait; with anticipation, I wait.

Yale University

The shoreline, however, buzzed with anticipation.

The New York Times - Travel

The children were buzzing with anticipation.

The New York Times

The Maracana bounced with anticipation and expectation.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with anticipation" to add a touch of formality and positive expectation to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing a positive or eagerly awaited event.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "with anticipation" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "looking forward to it" or "excited about it" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with anticipation" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe how an action is performed or in what state something exists. As evidenced by Ludwig, it adds detail about the manner or feeling accompanying an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with anticipation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that effectively communicates a feeling of positive expectation or excitement about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common presence across various contexts. While highly versatile, it is often found in neutral to slightly formal writing, particularly in news and media. For more casual scenarios, alternatives like "looking forward to" or "excited about" might be preferable. This phrase adds depth and emotion to descriptions by highlighting the expectant nature of an action or state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with eagerness

This alternative directly replaces "anticipation" with "eagerness", maintaining a similar level of formality.

awaiting with excitement

This alternative swaps "anticipation" for "excitement" while keeping the core meaning of eager expectation.

looking forward to

This is a common and direct way of expressing positive expectation about something in the future.

expectantly

This single word captures the feeling of expecting something to happen.

eagerly awaiting

This phrase emphasizes the act of waiting with eagerness, highlighting the expectant nature.

brimming with excitement

This phrase conveys a sense of being full of excitement, similar to being filled with anticipation.

with bated breath

This idiom suggests holding one's breath due to intense anticipation or excitement.

in eager expectation

This phrase is a more formal and emphatic way of saying "with anticipation", stressing the eagerness.

on tenterhooks

This idiom implies a state of suspense and nervous anticipation.

excitedly

This single word captures the feeling of excitement that accompanies anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "with anticipation" in a sentence?

You can use "with anticipation" to describe a feeling of excitement or expectation about something that is going to happen. For example, "We looked forward to the holidays with anticipation."

What can I say instead of "with anticipation"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerly awaiting", "looking forward to", or "excitedly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "with anticipation" or "in anticipation"?

Both "with anticipation" and "in anticipation" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "With anticipation" emphasizes the feeling or emotion, while "in anticipation" emphasizes the action taken because of the expectation. For example: "We waited with anticipation" versus "We prepared in anticipation of the storm".

What's the difference between "with anticipation" and "with excitement"?

While both convey a positive feeling, "with anticipation" specifically implies a focus on a future event and the expectation surrounding it. "With excitement" is a more general feeling of enthusiasm or thrill, not necessarily tied to a specific upcoming event. You can also use "with eagerness" as a valid alternative for similar situations.