I fully expected

USAGE SUMMARY

'I fully expected' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express your anticipation that something will occur, usually as part of a past-tense sentence. For example: I fully expected the movie to be terrible, but it was actually really good.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I fully expected to.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I fully expected cancer myself.

The Guardian - Books

I fully expected him to win.

The New York Times

I fully expected that my home had lost value.

The New York Times

I fully expected to be whisked off in a limo.

The New York Times

"I fully expected them to counter," she said.

The New York Times

"I fully expected it," Evans said of losing the record.

The New York Times - Sports

I fully expected him to return home sporting sideburns.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(I fully expect Channing Tatum).

The New York Times - Magazine

I fully expect to throw 65m now.

Independent

I fully expect to be at the track tomorrow".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I fully expected" to express a strong anticipation based on prior knowledge or assumptions, setting a clear expectation for your audience.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I fully expected" can sound less formal than alternatives like "It was anticipated" in academic or professional writing. Choose vocabulary that better suits your specific audience and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I fully expected" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's prior anticipation or belief regarding a particular event or outcome. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage in conveying a sense of strong expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I fully expected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys a strong sense of anticipation or prior belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, it is worth noting that slightly more formal language might be preferable in academic writing. Consider alternatives like "I anticipated" to fine-tune your message. Its high frequency and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to your communication toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated

Shortened form, placing emphasis on the act of anticipating rather than the degree of certainty.

I saw it coming

Emphasizes recognizing the signs or indications of an event.

I had foreseen

Emphasizes predicting the event before it happened.

I figured

Informal, suggest thinking or calculating the outcome in advance.

I was prepared for

Highlights readiness or mental preparation for something to happen.

I was not surprised by

Focuses on the lack of surprise, implying expectation.

I presumed

Indicates an assumption made before the event.

I reckoned

Informal, implies a casual estimation or expectation.

I took it for granted

Highlights that something was assumed to be true or to happen.

I had it coming

Implies an expectation of a negative outcome as a result of one's actions.

FAQs

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

Use "I fully expected" to express a strong anticipation or belief that something would happen, for example: "I fully expected the meeting to run late, so I brought extra work".

What can I say instead of "I fully expected"?

You can use alternatives like "I anticipated", "I foresaw", or "I was prepared for" depending on the specific context.

Is "I fully expected" formal or informal?

"I fully expected" is generally considered neutral in formality. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal options like "It was anticipated" may be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "I fully expected" and "I expected"?

Adding "fully" to "I expected" strengthens the level of anticipation or certainty. "I fully expected" conveys a stronger sense of conviction than simply "I expected".