I expect so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I expect so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you anticipate that something will happen or that a statement is true based on the context provided. Example: "Will the meeting start on time?" "I expect so, given that everyone is already here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I expect so".

The New Yorker

"Yes, I expect so.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I expect so, it must have done".

Independent

"I don't know, I expect so.

The Guardian

"Yeah, I expect so," she said, like a teenager.

The Guardian

"Are people scared of you?" "I expect so, yes," he says quietly.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I expected so much out of myself.

The New York Times - Sports

I expected so much worse.

The New York Times - Books

It went much better than I expected, so the following year we did it again in Edinburgh.

The Guardian

We never had the team that I expected, so it's kind of hard to be real disappointed".

The New York Times - Sports

Capital spending in the U.S. could contract 20%, not the 10% I expected, so knock another point off GDP.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I expect so" when you want to express a polite but not overly enthusiastic agreement or anticipation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, "I expect so" might sound too casual in extremely formal documents. Opt for more assertive or precise language in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I expect so" is as an affirmative response, indicating agreement or anticipation. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used in response to questions, signifying a belief that something is likely to occur or is true.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I expect so" is a commonly used expression to convey agreement or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English. While typically neutral in tone, it's often found in news and media contexts and can be seamlessly integrated into both informal and formal conversations. When aiming for more emphasis or formality, alternatives such as "I anticipate that" or "I presume as much" may be more appropriate. Ultimately, "I expect so" is a versatile phrase for expressing a reasonable degree of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipate that

Formal alternative focusing on anticipation of a future event.

I believe that's likely

Expresses a belief in the likelihood of something.

I imagine that's the case

Indicates supposition or assumption.

I presume as much

A more formal way of indicating assumption.

I assume that's true

Expresses an assumption of truth.

I suppose that's probable

Suggests a likelihood based on supposition.

I'm inclined to think so

Shows a leaning towards a particular belief or expectation.

That seems plausible to me

Indicates agreement based on plausibility.

I'd venture to guess so

A tentative affirmation or expectation.

It stands to reason

Indicates that something is logical or expected based on circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "I expect so" as a response to a question or statement to express agreement or anticipation. For example, "Will the project be completed on time?" "I expect so."

What are some alternatives to "I expect so"?

You can use alternatives like "I believe so", "I assume so", or "I imagine so" depending on the context.

Is "I expect so" formal or informal?

The phrase "I expect so" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts.

Is it correct to say "I expected so"?

While "I expect so" refers to a current or future expectation, "I expected so" refers to something you anticipated in the past. For example, "Did you think the meeting would be productive?" "I expected so."