I expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"I expected" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to express an assumption or prediction about something that did not turn out as expected. Here are a few examples: 1. "I expected the movie to be good, but it ended up being disappointing." 2. "I expected him to arrive on time, but he was late again." 3. "I expected her to be angry, but she surprised me by remaining calm." 4. "I expected the test to be difficult, but it was actually quite easy." 5. "I expected the weather to be sunny, but it rained all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I expected more.

The New York Times

I expected this".

The New York Times - Sports

"I expected it".

The New York Times - Sports

I expected her to".

The New Yorker

Quicker than I expected.

Independent

I expected mercy!

The New York Times

But I expected that.

The New York Times

Not what I expected.

The New York Times

It's what I expected".

The New York Times - Sports

"I expected to be hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

It is what I expected".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I expected" to convey a sense of anticipation, often contrasting with the actual outcome. It is particularly effective in narratives to highlight surprises or unmet expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "I expected" when referring to outcomes that are inherently uncertain or unpredictable. Instead, opt for phrases like "I hoped for" or "I wished for" to better reflect the speculative nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I expected" functions as a statement of prior belief or anticipation. It sets up a contrast between what was thought to be likely and what actually occurred, often implying a degree of surprise or disappointment. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I expected" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a prior belief or anticipation, often highlighting a contrast with the actual outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When writing, use this phrase to effectively convey surprise or unmet expectations, but be mindful of maintaining realism in what you're anticipating. Consider alternatives like "I anticipated" or "I foresaw" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated

Formal synonym that emphasizes a degree of preparation or foresight.

I foresaw

Implies a clear vision of something before it happened, often with a sense of inevitability.

I predicted

Focuses on stating what would happen in the future based on current information.

I had foreseen

Past perfect tense of foresee, placing the anticipation further in the past.

I envisioned

Suggests a mental image or concept of what was to come.

I presumed

Based on an assumption or likelihood, rather than certain knowledge.

I assumed

Similar to 'presumed', but can also imply a lack of concrete evidence.

I gathered

Inferred from information or evidence at hand.

I reckoned

More informal, suggesting a calculation or estimation.

I thought

A general term for having an idea or opinion about something, less specific than "I expected".

FAQs

How can I use "I expected" in a sentence?

Use "I expected" to express an anticipation or prediction about something. For example, "I expected the weather to be sunny today, but it rained all day".

What can I say instead of "I expected"?

You can use alternatives like "I anticipated", "I foresaw", or "I assumed" depending on the context.

Is "I would have expected" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I would have expected" is grammatically correct. It expresses a past expectation that was not met, often implying surprise or disappointment. For example, "I would have expected him to call, but he never did".

What's the difference between "I expected" and "I was expecting"?

"I expected" typically refers to a general anticipation or belief. "I was expecting" usually implies an ongoing state of anticipation, often tied to a specific event or person. For example, "I expected a raise this year" vs. "I was expecting a call from the doctor".