I don't expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I don't expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to express one's lack of expectation that something will happen or is true. For example, "I don't expect to hear from him soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I don't expect that".

The New York Times

"I don't expect them to.

The New York Times - Magazine

I don't expect that, however.

The New York Times

I don't expect any problems.

Independent

I don't expect surprises.

The New York Times

"I don't expect anything different".

The New York Times - Sports

I don't expect to start.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I don't expect that.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't expect an apology.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't expect a reply.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I don't expect it to happen again".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I don't expect", ensure the context clearly indicates what outcome or event is not anticipated. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I don't expect" when you are nearly certain something will not happen. Phrases like "I doubt" or "it's unlikely" may be more appropriate to convey a higher degree of disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I don't expect" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a speaker's lack of anticipation or belief in a certain outcome. It often precedes a clause specifying the event or situation that is not expected, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I don't expect" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of anticipation or belief in a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Sports and Formal & Business settings, reflecting its neutral register. When writing with "I don't expect", ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity and accurately convey the degree of certainty. Consider alternatives like "I doubt" or "I'm not anticipating that" for nuanced expressions. Ludwig's examples and analysis affirm the phrase's usability and provide valuable context for its effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm not anticipating that

Uses the continuous form of 'anticipate' to express a lack of current expectation.

I wouldn't anticipate that

Uses 'anticipate' instead of 'expect', conveying a similar level of disbelief or lack of expectation.

I don't foresee that happening

Replaces 'expect' with 'foresee', maintaining the negative anticipation.

I don't predict that

Uses 'predict' instead of 'expect', focusing on the lack of foresight.

I don't imagine that will occur

Replaces 'expect' with 'imagine', softening the tone slightly.

I doubt that will happen

Directly expresses doubt about the occurrence of something.

That's not something I foresee

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the lack of foresight regarding a specific event.

I'm not counting on that

Indicates a reliance or dependence is not placed on a particular event happening.

I anticipate otherwise

Emphasizes a different expectation or outcome than what might be suggested.

I foresee a different outcome

Focuses on predicting a different result, implying a lack of expectation for the current possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "I don't expect" in a sentence?

You can use "I don't expect" to express a lack of anticipation or belief in a particular outcome. For instance, "I don't expect it to rain" suggests you believe rain is unlikely.

What can I say instead of "I don't expect"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I doubt", "I wouldn't anticipate that", or "I'm not anticipating that" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I don't expect that"?

Yes, "I don't expect that" is a perfectly grammatical and commonly used phrase to express a lack of expectation regarding a particular event or outcome.

What's the difference between "I don't expect" and "I didn't expect"?

"I don't expect" refers to a present or future expectation, while "I didn't expect" refers to a past expectation. For example, "I don't expect him to call" means you currently don't think he will call, while "I didn't expect him to call" means you were surprised when he didn't call in the past.