I had higher expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had higher expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disappointment or dissatisfaction with a situation or outcome that did not meet your anticipated standards. Example: "After hearing all the positive reviews, I had higher expectations for the movie, but it turned out to be quite disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I had higher expectations in the nondoorman buildings," he said.

The New York Times

I had higher expectations for Copernic's new software program, for one simple reason: the Plus version costs $30.

The New York Times - Tech

And I had higher expectations for the 400's.

TechCrunch

Don't get me wrong, it looks great and I'm stoked to play it when released, but I had higher expectations.

TechCrunch

Having attended a few web conferences and events I have to say I had higher expectations for La Red Innova, namely being the "Le Web" of the Hispanic world, and needless to say those expectations -if a bit unrealistic- were not met.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I had high expectations.

The Guardian

I had high expectations going into Prometheus.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I had high expectations when I arrived in Kingham.

Independent

"I had high expectations coming into the meet.

The New York Times - Sports

I had high expectations of this novel, something I tend to avoid.

The Guardian

I had high expectations and to play at the level I did today was great".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to express disappointment when something doesn't meet your anticipated standards or quality. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable in various settings, avoid using "I had higher expectations" excessively in highly formal or professional communication. Alternatives like "I anticipated a different outcome" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had higher expectations" functions as a statement expressing a feeling of disappointment or unmet anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its role in conveying dissatisfaction across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I had higher expectations" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey disappointment when something fails to meet anticipated standards. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and meaning. While relatively rare, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When aiming for more formal communication, consider alternatives like "I anticipated a different outcome". The key is to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing, and to remember that it directly communicates unmet expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My expectations were greater

Emphasizes the magnitude of the expectations that were not met.

I anticipated more

A more concise way of expressing that something did not meet the desired level.

I was expecting better

Directly states the anticipation of a superior outcome or quality.

I thought it would be better

Focuses on the initial thought or belief about the quality of something.

It didn't live up to my expectations

Highlights the failure to meet a predefined standard.

I overestimated its potential

Acknowledges an error in judging the capabilities or quality beforehand.

It wasn't as good as I hoped

Reflects a personal desire for a better experience or result.

I was disappointed with it

Directly expresses a feeling of letdown or dissatisfaction.

My hopes were dashed

A more dramatic way of saying expectations were not met, often implying a significant disappointment.

It fell short of what I imagined

Indicates a discrepancy between the initial mental picture and the reality.

FAQs

How can I use "I had higher expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "I had higher expectations" to express disappointment. For example, "After all the hype, "I had higher expectations" for the restaurant.".

What are some alternatives to "I had higher expectations"?

Some alternatives include "I anticipated more", "I was expecting better", or "it didn't live up to my expectations".

Is it grammatically correct to say "I had higher expectations"?

Yes, "I had higher expectations" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure.

What's the difference between "I had higher expectations" and "I had high expectations"?

"I had high expectations" generally implies a positive anticipation, while ""I had higher expectations"" is typically used to express disappointment because the expectations were not met.