I had envisaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had envisaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a prior thought or expectation about a situation or outcome that was imagined or planned. Example: "Before the project began, I had envisaged a much different outcome than what we experienced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Maybe I had envisaged eerie gothic pathways with shuffling clerics spreading words of hate.

The Guardian

I'm even allowed to borrow his poles, a rite of passage that proves, for the moment at least, less earth-shattering than I had envisaged.

The Guardian - Travel

Having originally heard about the place, I had envisaged a 'golf course on a slope' - a few blue and green runs meandering through a luxury real estate development.

The Guardian - Travel

I had envisaged some awkwardness on my part if the subject of wine, with which I presumed he was familiar, came up.

The Guardian - Film

I had envisaged all sorts of people having a go: students, grannies, groups of workmates, all picking up a camera and making a response to my story.

The Guardian - Film

But when I got to Oxford and discovered some of it, and some of the people weren't as special as I had envisaged, it was a terrible shock".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I've envisaged myself playing in this team before.

The Guardian - Sport

If the first five picks play out as I have envisaged, the likelihood of another team trading with Cleveland to get ahead of Arizona will be significant.

The Guardian - Sport

In December of the same year he warns again that "although the current solution at Pantglas may be difficult it will not by any means be as difficult as would apply in the event of the tips sliding in the manner that I have envisaged".

The Guardian

I grew up on picture books like "Many Thousand Gone," by the African-American author Virginia Hamilton, and since childhood I have envisaged the Underground Railroad as a tale not of kindly whites assisting people to freedom but, rather, of the ingenuity and bravery of black slaves, who trusted that unknown white people might be less dangerous than those who had claimed ownership of them.

The New Yorker

But he told Arsenal's club website:  "I've envisaged myself playing in this team before.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had envisaged" to clearly express a prior expectation or mental image, especially when contrasting it with the actual outcome. This helps to highlight differences between anticipation and reality.

Common error

Avoid using "I had envisaged" when describing current expectations. This phrase is best used to describe something that was expected in the past but may not have come to fruition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had envisaged" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past perfect action related to mental conception or expectation. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe a past vision that contrasts with a subsequent reality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Books

12%

Less common in

Travel

9%

Film

6%

Science & Research

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I had envisaged" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a prior expectation or mental image, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is primarily used in news and media, sport and books contexts to contrast past beliefs with current realities. While readily accepted across various registers, remember to reserve it for describing completed past expectations rather than current ones. Consider alternatives like "I had imagined" or "I had anticipated" for nuanced meaning. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, mastering this phrase enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had envisioned

Similar to 'envisaged', indicating a clear mental picture or concept.

I had imagined

Focuses on a mental image or idea formed beforehand, similar to envisaging.

I had pictured

Focuses on creating a mental image of something.

I had anticipated

Highlights expecting something to happen, often with some preparation.

I had expected

Emphasizes a belief that something would occur, perhaps without detailed planning.

I had foreseen

Implies predicting a future event or situation.

I had conceived

Highlights the formation of an idea or plan in the mind.

I had contemplated

Suggests thoughtful consideration or planning of a possibility.

I had planned for

Focuses on making arrangements for a specific outcome.

I had presumed

Implies an assumption or belief held beforehand.

FAQs

What does "I had envisaged" mean?

The phrase "I had envisaged" means that you had a mental picture or expectation of something in the past. It implies that you imagined or anticipated a certain outcome or situation.

What can I say instead of "I had envisaged"?

You can use alternatives like "I had imagined", "I had anticipated", or "I had expected" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have envisaged"?

While grammatically correct, "I have envisaged" implies that you currently hold a certain vision or expectation that started in the past and continues to the present. "I had envisaged" is used for expectations held and concluded in the past.

How do I use "I had envisaged" in a sentence?

You can use "I had envisaged" to express a past expectation that differed from reality, for example: "I had envisaged a relaxing vacation, but it turned out to be quite stressful."