I anticipated this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I anticipated this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you expected a certain outcome or event to occur. Example: "When I saw the signs of trouble, I anticipated this and prepared accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I anticipated this job being hard.

The New York Times

Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road.

The New York Times

When I began this work, I anticipated this exact reaction from any number of people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If anything, I anticipated this happening three years ago or two years ago".

The New York Times

"I know there's been a lot of questions, and I anticipated this, people saying, 'This is ridiculous: a private plane, a cargo plane, taking just chickens,' " she said.

The New York Times

I anticipated this big, heavy banger.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I anticipate this being the best Christmas".

The New York Times

Under the new model of collaboration, I anticipate this dynamic occurring less.

Harvard Business Review

"I anticipate this is a temporary setback, just by watching him," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

I anticipate this book to be one that I will frequently consult, as well as one to which I will refer many current and future students.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But he told the club magazine ahead of Sunday's loss to Huddersfield: "I anticipate this being my last contribution to a Bradford programme".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I anticipated this" when you want to convey that you had a prior expectation or awareness of an event or situation, often implying a degree of preparedness or strategic foresight.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I anticipated this" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I expected this" or "I saw this coming" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I anticipated this" functions as a declarative statement expressing a prior expectation or foresight. Ludwig indicates it's a valid expression. Examples show it used across different contexts to convey that the speaker had foreseen or expected a particular event or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I anticipated this" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, used to convey that one had a prior expectation or awareness of an event. According to Ludwig, its tone is formal. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various reputable sources, including news and media, and academic texts. When deciding whether to use "I anticipated this", it's important to consider the context; simpler alternatives like "I expected this" or "I saw this coming" might be more appropriate for casual conversations. Ultimately, choosing "I anticipated this" helps create a tone of foresight and awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I expected this

More direct and less formal.

I foresaw this

Implies a more profound or insightful prediction.

I predicted this

Suggests a formal or calculated forecast.

I saw this coming

An idiomatic expression indicating awareness of an impending event.

I knew this would happen

Emphasizes certainty about the outcome.

I was prepared for this

Focuses on readiness to face the situation.

I had foreseen this

More formal past perfect tense of 'foresee'.

I had anticipated it

Using the pronoun 'it' instead of 'this' adds a slight distance.

This was anticipated by me

Passive voice version, more formal and less direct.

I envisioned this

Suggests a mental image or detailed expectation of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "I anticipated this" in a sentence?

Use "I anticipated this" to express that you expected something to happen. For example, "When the weather forecast predicted heavy rain, "I anticipated this" and brought an umbrella".

What's a less formal way to say "I anticipated this"?

Alternatives include "I expected this", "I saw this coming", or "I knew it", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I anticipated this" or "I expected this"?

"I anticipated this" is slightly more formal and implies a greater degree of foresight or planning than "I expected this". The best choice depends on the specific context and the tone you wish to convey.

Can "I anticipated this" be used in both positive and negative situations?

Yes, "I anticipated this" can be used regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative. It simply indicates that you expected the event to occur. For example, you might say ""I anticipated this" success" or ""I anticipated this" problem".