Figure on sb doing sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Figure on sb doing sth” Mean?

“Figure on sb doing sth” means to expect or plan for someone to do something. It shows that you rely on or assume an action will happen.

Introduction

The phrase “figure on sb doing sth” is commonly used in English to express expectations or plans involving another person’s actions. When you figure on someone doing something, you assume or rely on that person to complete a task or behave in a certain way. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing plans, arrangements, or predictions. Understanding the figure on sb doing sth meaning helps learners communicate their expectations clearly and naturally in conversations, emails, or reports. It is often used when you want to show that you are counting on someone to do something specific.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: figure on somebody doing something
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: to expect or plan for someone to do something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Figure on sb doing sth” is inseparable, meaning the phrase cannot be split by other words. The structure is:

• figure on + somebody + verb-ing (gerund)

Example: I figure on her finishing the report by Friday.

Note that “sb” stands for “somebody,” and “sth” stands for “something.”

How to Use “Figure on sb doing sth”?

Use this phrase when you want to express that you expect or plan for someone to do a specific action. It often appears in discussions about plans, schedules, or assumptions. The phrase helps to communicate reliance on others effectively.

For example, if you are organizing an event and you expect a friend to help, you might say, “I figure on John helping with the decorations.”

Examples

Here are some examples to show “figure on sb doing sth” in a sentence:

• We figure on Sarah coming to the meeting early tomorrow.
• They figured on the team finishing the project by next week.
• I’m figuring on you picking me up after work.
• She figures on her parents supporting her decision.
• We didn’t figure on him arriving so late.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “figure on sb doing sth” with other similar phrases or use incorrect verb forms. Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Incorrect: I figure on he will come tomorrow.
  Correct: I figure on him coming tomorrow.
• Incorrect: She figures on they to finish the job.
  Correct: She figures on them finishing the job.
• Incorrect: We figure on you help us.
  Correct: We figure on you helping us.

Differences / Synonyms

“Figure on sb doing sth” is similar to phrases like “count on” and “rely on,” but each has subtle differences. “Count on” often implies trust and confidence, while “figure on” emphasizes expectation or planning.

For example, “I count on her to be honest” suggests trust, whereas “I figure on her arriving at 5 PM” focuses on expectation.

Another synonym is “expect,” but “figure on” is a bit more informal and conversational.

Common Collocations

Here are some common collocations used with “figure on sb doing sth”:

• figure on someone helping – expecting assistance
• figure on someone arriving – expecting arrival
• figure on someone finishing – expecting completion
• figure on someone participating – expecting involvement
• figure on someone responding – expecting reply

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of figure on sb doing sth:

• Figure Sth Out
• Figure On Sth
• Figure Sb Out

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “figure on sb doing sth”:

Anna: Do you think Mike will help us with the presentation?

Ben: Yes, I figure on him doing most of the research.

Anna: That’s great. I’ll figure on you creating the slides then.

Ben: Sounds like a plan!

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

• A) I figure on she arriving on time.
• B) I figure on her arriving on time.
• C) I figure on her to arrive on time.

Answer: B) I figure on her arriving on time.

FAQs

• Q: Is “figure on sb doing sth” formal or informal?
  A: It is mostly informal but can be used in semi-formal contexts.
• Q: Can I use “figure on” with nouns instead of verbs?
  A: No, it is followed by someone + verb-ing (gerund).
• Q: What is the difference between “figure on” and “count on”?
  A: “Figure on” means to expect or plan, while “count on” implies trust and reliance.
• Q: Can I use “figure on” in questions?
  A: Yes, for example, “Do you figure on him coming?”
• Q: Is “figure on” separable?
  A: No, you cannot separate “figure on” from its object and gerund.