I definitely expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I definitely expect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong belief or anticipation about a future event or outcome. Example: "I definitely expect to see improvements in our sales figures by the end of the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And, yes, I definitely expect other people to outdo me.

The New York Times

"I definitely expect another close match," Williams said.

The Guardian - Sport

I definitely expect to be able to play a part later in the tour.

Independent

"I definitely expect more pressure, just because of the nature of the game," Sprewell said.

The New York Times - Sports

We still have a lot of season left, and I definitely expect to be back sometime soon".

The New York Times - Sports

"I definitely expect it to spawn serious deliberations within the faculty, but these would be the basic courses that perhaps faculty gets the least psychic reward from teaching".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I definitely expected it to be shabbier".

Independent

"I definitely expected [Murray to come back].

The Guardian - Sport

I definitely expected to play better, but it happens.

BBC

If she couldn't add the channels I wanted, I definitely expected that she'd be able to simply remove the NFL Network from my package until next season and schedule that second TiVo appointment.

TechCrunch

The authority said it was difficult to predict visitor numbers in 2015 but said it definitely expected a huge increase.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I definitely expect" to clearly convey a strong sense of anticipation or certainty about a future event. For increased clarity, follow it with a specific explanation of what you anticipate.

Common error

Avoid using "I definitely expect" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or overly assertive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I anticipate" or "I foresee" to maintain a natural and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I definitely expect" serves as a declarative statement expressing a high degree of confidence in a future outcome. The word "definitely" strengthens the verb "expect", highlighting the speaker's firm belief, consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I definitely expect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for conveying a strong sense of anticipation or conviction about a future event. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting its suitability for expressing opinions and forecasts in a clear and confident manner. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, overusing the phrase can make writing repetitive. Employing synonyms like "I certainly expect" or "I anticipate" can enhance writing style and maintain reader engagement. Ludwig's analysis supports its usage and provides context for its meaning and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I certainly expect

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly" to convey a similar level of confidence.

I fully expect

Substitutes "definitely" with "fully" emphasizing complete anticipation.

I confidently expect

Replaces "definitely" with "confidently" to highlight the speaker's assuredness.

I strongly anticipate

Adds "strongly" to emphasize the intensity of the expectation.

I anticipate

Removes the intensifier "definitely" for a slightly less emphatic expectation.

It is my firm expectation

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the firmness of the expectation.

I have no doubt that I expect

Expresses expectation by negating doubt, adding a touch of formality.

I am sure that I expect

Expresses confidence through certainty, reducing the emphasis on anticipation.

I foresee

Uses "foresee" to imply a prediction based on insight or knowledge.

I predict

Replaces "expect" with "predict" suggesting a more formal or calculated anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "I definitely expect" in a sentence?

Use "I definitely expect" to express a strong anticipation or belief about a future event. For example, "I definitely expect to see positive results from this new strategy".

What can I say instead of "I definitely expect"?

You can use alternatives like "I certainly expect", "I fully expect", or "I anticipate" depending on the context.

Is it too strong to say "I definitely expect" in professional communication?

While "I definitely expect" can be used in professional contexts, consider the audience and the situation. In some cases, a more moderate phrasing like "I anticipate" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "I expect" and "I definitely expect"?

Adding "definitely" intensifies the expectation. While "I expect" implies a general anticipation, "I definitely expect" conveys a stronger sense of certainty and conviction.