ENGLISH
REFERENCE

figure on

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford American English Informal

phr. v.. to plan for something or expect it to happen.

phr. v.. to include something in one's plans or to anticipate a specific outcome; often used when calculating or predicting future events.


SIMPLE

I didn't figure on the traffic being so bad today.

CONTEXTUAL

When we planned the budget, we didn't figure on the price of petrol rising so quickly.

COMPLEX

The developers had to figure on a significant delay once the environmental impact study revealed protected species on the site.

Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
figure + on + object
Usage

usually followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

Teaching tip

note that this is more common in American English; contrast it with 'count on' (rely on) or 'plan for'.

Pitfall

We figured on to arrive at six.We figured on arriving at six.the particle 'on' must be followed by a gerund (-ing) rather than an infinitive.

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