What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gestating
Example
The elephant has been gestating for 22 months now. [gestating: verb]
Example
The company has been gestating this new product for over a year. [gestating: present participle]
expecting
Example
She is expecting a baby in three months. [expecting: verb]
Example
We are expecting a big turnout for the event. [expecting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expecting is more commonly used than gestating in everyday language. Expecting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gestating is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gestating and expecting?
Both gestating and expecting can be used in formal and informal contexts, but gestating may have a more technical or scientific connotation in certain contexts.
