I expected to meet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I expected to meet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or a prior belief about meeting someone in the future. Example: "I expected to meet with the project manager to discuss our next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I expected to meet lots of people like Uncle Pat.

The New Yorker

This is not the Corden I expected to meet.

The Guardian

When I visited Hello Games earlier this year, I expected to meet people working to figure out how the universe would look, and how it would function.

The New Yorker

"The last place I expected to meet Mr. Right was in one of the many lines I have endured in my New York life," the bride said.

The New York Times - Style

Surveying the menu in a half-empty restaurant in central London this lunchtime, Tom Jones appears a rather toned-down version of the man I expected to meet.

The Guardian - Music

Every time we turned a corner I expected to meet a hail of bullets, but thankfully not a shot was fired.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I expect to meet you there in an hour".

The New Yorker

Astor's final words to him were: "I have had conversations with several prime ministers since I was editor of the Observer - and I expect to meet about another seven in my time here.

The Guardian

"Cellino is meeting the Football League and I have no idea when I expect to meet him.

BBC

With regard to Burgoyne's army, he would do only what was required of him (virtually nothing)." Howe himself wrote to Burgoyne on 17 July that he intended to stay close to Washington: "My intention is for Pennsylvania, where I expect to meet Washington, but if he goes to the northward contrary to my expectations, and you can keep him at bay, be assured I shall soon be after him to relieve you".

Wikipedia

I expect to meet a kind doctor who greets with a smile, asking me about my condition and if I sleep well or if I have any problems at home.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the meeting that did not fulfill your expectation, add words like "but" or "however" to clarify your expectation and the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "I expected to meet" when you mean "I wanted to meet." "Expected" implies a belief based on some evidence or assumption, while "wanted" expresses a wish or desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I expected to meet" functions as a statement expressing a prior anticipation or belief about encountering someone. It is a declarative statement indicating a past expectation. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in contexts where the speaker is recounting their assumptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I expected to meet" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a prior anticipation of encountering someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in English. While it is not a very common phrase, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates a past expectation and that the word choice reflects a genuine belief rather than a mere desire. Consider related phrases like "I anticipated meeting" for a stronger sense of anticipation or "I thought I would meet" for a less firm expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated meeting

Emphasizes a stronger sense of anticipation and planning.

I had anticipated meeting

This is a slightly more formal version of 'I anticipated meeting'.

I was expecting to encounter

Focuses on the potential for a chance meeting or unplanned interaction.

I looked forward to meeting

Expresses a positive feeling and anticipation of the meeting.

I had thought I would meet

Highlights a past expectation that may or may not have been fulfilled.

I presumed I would meet

Indicates an assumption made without concrete evidence.

I was under the impression I would meet

Indicates that you believed something to be true, which led you to expect to meet.

I envisioned meeting

Suggests a mental image or imagined scenario of the meeting.

I imagined I would meet

Highlights a mental picture of the meeting.

I foresaw meeting

Implies a prediction or intuition about the meeting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I expected to meet" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "I anticipated meeting" or "I had anticipated meeting" for a more formal tone. These options emphasize a stronger sense of prior planning or expectation.

What's the difference between "I expected to meet" and "I hoped to meet"?

"I expected to meet" indicates a belief or assumption based on some evidence, while "I hoped to meet" expresses a desire or wish. The former suggests a higher degree of certainty than the latter.

Is it correct to say "I was expecting to meet" instead of "I expected to meet"?

Yes, "I was expecting to meet" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It simply adds a continuous aspect, suggesting that the expectation was ongoing.

Can I use "I thought I would meet" as a substitute for "I expected to meet"?

Yes, "I thought I would meet" can be used as a substitute, but it implies a less firm expectation. It suggests a possibility or a casual assumption rather than a strong belief.