I started expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a shift in your mindset or feelings where you begin to anticipate something happening. Example: "After several weeks of training, I started expecting to see improvements in my performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Like the other parties into which the Angles divide their world, like Glamour by the Pool's Edge (I thought briefly about filling my tub and giving that one), the photographs feature people who have absorbed the ethos of lifestyle advertising so thoroughly that I started expecting magazine articles between the pictures.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But maybe if I start expecting more than just OK (but slightly less than perfect), I'll actually start to be truly fabulous.

Huffington Post

They started expecting loans and handouts".

The New York Times - Magazine

"All of this is something nobody expected — I can't start expecting it of myself all the time," Zobrist said.

The New York Times - Sports

Patients, I ask that you start expecting this.

Huffington Post

Let's start expecting, no demanding better.

Huffington Post

What Helen said: "In September last year I started university, expecting to be a student for another three years.

The Guardian

I do not watch it with a critical eye because it is, in TV terms, old, and because I started it expecting very little.

Vice

I started with the expected goals from each resulting shot and subtracted the average expected goals per shot for the same shooter.

The New Yorker

Even 45 years ago (when I started) we were expected to type our raw data (thousands of observations) into the pages of the journals.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"When I started, I was actually expecting probably none of them to work," Dr. DeBroff said.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure that "I started expecting" accurately reflects the gradual development of your expectations, rather than an immediate assumption.

Common error

In formal contexts, consider using more concise alternatives like "I anticipated" or "I came to expect" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started expecting" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating a shift in one's anticipations. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes the beginning of an expectation based on changing circumstances or experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I started expecting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the beginning of an anticipation. Ludwig AI validates this through various examples across different contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and formal settings. While alternative phrases like "I began to expect" or "I anticipated" may be more suitable for formal writing, "I started expecting" is generally acceptable and conveys a sense of a gradual shift in expectation. As usage tips suggest, consider the specific context and formality level to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to expect

Replaces "started" with "began", slightly emphasizing the commencement of the expectation.

I came to expect

Indicates that the expectation developed over time.

I grew to expect

Similar to "came to expect", but with a greater sense of gradual development.

I anticipated

A more concise and formal way of saying "I started expecting".

I began anticipating

Combines the sense of commencement with the more concise "anticipated".

I found myself expecting

Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the expectation.

I had started to expect

Adds a sense of completion to the commencement of expectation.

I was starting to expect

Highlights the ongoing process of forming the expectation.

I had come to expect

Combines the sense of gradual development with a past perfect tense.

I looked forward to

Specifically expresses anticipation with a positive connotation.

FAQs

What does "I started expecting" mean?

It means you began to anticipate or anticipate something based on prior experiences or a change in circumstances.

How can I use "I started expecting" in a sentence?

For example, "After the company's consistent growth, "I started expecting" yearly bonuses".

What can I say instead of "I started expecting"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to expect", "I came to expect", or "I anticipated" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "I started expecting" and "I began to expect"?

While similar, "I started expecting" suggests a more general commencement, whereas "I began to expect" may emphasize a more deliberate or conscious beginning of the anticipation.