I was not expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was not expecting" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing surprise or disappointment about something, for example: "I was not expecting to see you here today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That I was not expecting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was not expecting it".

The New York Times

I was not expecting it to be a mailto link.

University of California, Berkeley

"I was not expecting anything like HCV," Dr. Kapoor said.

The New York Times - Health

I was not expecting it to be that bad.

Independent

I was not expecting it to be that way".

The New York Times - Sports

It moved me in a way I was not expecting.

The Washington Post

"I was NOT expecting the response it got.

The Washington Post

"Before that I was not expecting to get this award.

The Guardian

"I was not expecting it at all," Lima said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today, I told James I was not expecting Pete to show up.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was not expecting" to express genuine surprise or a lack of anticipation, but ensure the context clearly indicates what you did not expect. This helps maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I was not expecting" when you had a reasonable basis to anticipate the outcome. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound insincere or naive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was not expecting" functions as a declarative statement expressing surprise or a lack of anticipation. It is commonly used to introduce an unexpected outcome or realization, as demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples where speakers and writers convey their astonishment at unforeseen events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

8%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Science & Research

2%

Sport

6%

Health

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was not expecting" is a versatile phrase used to express surprise or a lack of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts. Its high frequency, especially in News & Media, underscores its common usage. While alternatives exist, such as "I didn't anticipate" or "It took me by surprise", "I was not expecting" provides a clear and effective means to communicate unexpected outcomes or realizations. Be mindful of its overuse, but leverage its impact when you truly want to convey your surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I didn't anticipate

Replaces "was not expecting" with "didn't anticipate", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

This was unexpected

A more concise and direct way to express surprise.

I didn't foresee

Substitutes "expecting" with "foresee", indicating a lack of prior awareness or prediction.

I was unprepared for

Highlights a lack of readiness or preparation for an event.

That caught me off guard

Expresses surprise using an idiomatic expression.

It took me by surprise

Indicates an unexpected event or revelation.

I never imagined

Conveys a sense of disbelief or astonishment about something.

I hadn't bargained for that

Implies that something unexpected happened, often with negative connotations.

I had no idea

Emphasizes a complete lack of prior knowledge or awareness.

Little did I know

Introduces a statement of surprise or realization, often with dramatic effect.

FAQs

How can I use "I was not expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "I was not expecting" to express surprise or a lack of anticipation about something. For instance, "I was not expecting the movie to be so moving" or "I was not expecting such a large crowd at the event".

What can I say instead of "I was not expecting"?

Alternatives to "I was not expecting" include phrases like "I didn't anticipate", "It took me by surprise", or "I never imagined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I didn't expect" the same as "I was not expecting"?

While both phrases express a lack of anticipation, "I didn't expect" is a more common and slightly less formal phrasing. "I was not expecting" can emphasize the surprise more strongly.

Is it incorrect to say "I wasn't expecting" instead of "I was not expecting"?

"I wasn't expecting" is a perfectly acceptable contraction of "I was not expecting" and is often used in informal contexts. Both are grammatically correct, but "I was not expecting" may sound slightly more formal or emphatic.