I originally anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I originally anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing expectations or predictions that were made in the past regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "When I started this project, I originally anticipated that it would take only a few weeks to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

'We decorated it to a much higher standard than I originally anticipated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I know the US and France already do what I'm proposing, but it's been a challenge as it's meant I've ended up moving a lot faster than I originally anticipated.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bell Atlantic waited a year longer than it originally anticipated to get into the long-distance arena in New York as the company tried to appease New York regulators.

The New York Times

The Finnish company noted that several factors are negatively impacting its business to a greater extent than it originally anticipated.

Forbes

At the time I wrote, the dollar was trading at 146.50, but the ensuing collapse went beyond what I had originally anticipated.

Forbes

When I first laid hands on the phone, it turned out to be a lot nicer than I'd originally anticipated.

TechCrunch

Armed with this prized list, the first and most important step on my agenda was to select a suitably royal hotel, which turned out to be a much simpler affair than I had originally anticipated, because the only such warrant ever granted for Hospitality Services by Her Majesty The Queen (or any other reigning monarch since the Middle Ages) belongs to the Goring Hotel.

Huffington Post

"While I share the concerns of others that the investigation is taking far longer than originally anticipated, I am regularly updated on its progress, I am personally reviewing the evidence and I am satisfied that all that can be done to conclude the investigation is being done and that Mr Mitchell himself is kept informed".

BBC

On Wednesday, when pressed as to why the rankings were posted this week, he said, "I guess they were ready earlier than we originally anticipated".

Huffington Post

In reviewing the condo's financial statement, I noticed that the amount earmarked for the renovation ended up being less than what was originally anticipated.

The New York Times

So companies need more money than originally anticipated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I originally anticipated", ensure that the context clearly indicates how your initial expectation differed from the actual outcome. This provides clarity and emphasizes the learning or adjustment that occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "I originally anticipated" without explaining how the outcome deviated from your expectation. Failing to provide this context can leave the reader wondering about the relevance of your initial anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I originally anticipated" serves as an introductory statement expressing a prior expectation or prediction made by the speaker. Ludwig AI validates this usage, indicating that it is a grammatically correct and understandable way to introduce a revised view or outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I originally anticipated" is a useful construction for expressing an initial expectation that has changed or proven inaccurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and understandable, and it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context about how the original anticipation differed from the eventual outcome to provide clarity. Alternatives such as "I had initially expected" or "I formerly believed" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had initially expected

Replaces "anticipated" with "expected", focusing on a prior belief about what would happen.

I previously foresaw

Emphasizes foresight and prior planning, substituting "anticipated" with "foresaw".

I formerly believed

Highlights a change in belief, replacing "anticipated" with "believed".

I once predicted

Focuses on a past prediction, using "predicted" instead of "anticipated".

I had at first thought

Rephrases the initial assessment, using "thought" to convey the original idea.

I had assumed at the outset

Uses "assumed" to suggest a starting point assumption that has been adjusted.

My initial estimation was

Focuses on an early calculation that turned out to be different from the actual outcome.

I originally envisioned

Shifts the emphasis to a mental picture or vision, replacing "anticipated" with "envisioned".

I had figured initially

Uses "figured" to imply an informal calculation or understanding.

I had reckoned at the beginning

Emphasizes the starting point of a calculation or estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "I originally anticipated" in a sentence?

Use "I originally anticipated" to introduce a past expectation that turned out differently. For example, "I originally anticipated that the project would take a month, but it took three."

What can I say instead of "I originally anticipated"?

You can use alternatives like "I had initially expected", "I previously foresaw", or "I formerly believed depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I originally anticipated" or "I had originally anticipated"?

Both are grammatically correct. "I originally anticipated" is simpler, while "I had originally anticipated" emphasizes that the anticipation occurred in the past before a subsequent event.

What's the difference between "I originally anticipated" and "I initially assumed"?

"I originally anticipated" suggests a reasoned expectation, while "I initially assumed" implies a less informed guess. The choice depends on whether your expectation was based on analysis or a simple assumption.