That was my expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That was my expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when reflecting on a situation where your anticipated outcome did not align with reality. Example: "When I saw the final results, I was surprised because that was my expectation all along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The natural state of human beings is to be subsistence farmers, and that was my expectation," he said, adding that his world was "Scandinavian, hard-core, very self-denying people who go through life never expecting to be happy".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's my expectation".

The Guardian

"That is my expectation, that is my hope," he added in an interview.

The New York Times

That's my expectation over the transition period," Bishop said.

The Guardian

And I don't know if that's my expectation of him, but I just think you should never judge people on how you perceive them to be in magazines or in newspapers or on the TV.

Independent

One key reason for that is my expectation every time I read a piece by Burchill that she will do exactly what she is hired for - to provoke controversy.

The Guardian

On a two-day jaunt to meet with New Delhi officials, business leaders and GE customers, Immelt declared that "Over the next five years…India will be one of the fastest growing if not the fastest growing region in the world, that's my expectation".

Forbes

"That is my expectation," he said.

Los Angeles Times

"There was an annual bonus procedure," he added, "and it was my expectation that the bonus could be enhanced".

The New York Times

"That will be my expectation of all members throughout the fifth assembly.

BBC

I understand that Mr. Young is regretful, and it is my expectation that he will learn from this unfortunate episode".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "That was my expectation" when you want to express that an outcome differed from what you had originally anticipated. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "That was my expectation" to describe hopes that were unrealistic from the outset. It's better suited for situations where the expectation was reasonably based on prior information or understanding, rather than wishful thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That was my expectation" functions as a statement of a past belief or anticipation. It reflects a prior understanding or assumption about a situation or event that has since been revealed to be different. As stated by Ludwig, it's perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That was my expectation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a prior belief or anticipation that differed from the actual outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It is adaptable across various contexts, from news reporting and academic discussions to everyday conversations, and maintains a neutral tone. When writing, ensure it aligns with a situation where the original expectation was reasonably based and not merely wishful. If you aim to soften the phrase or explore related meanings, you could choose from options such as "That's what I anticipated" or "I had expected that". The key is to select the alternative that closely matches the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had expected that

Short and direct substitute, focusing on the act of expecting.

That's what I anticipated

Replaces 'expectation' with 'anticipated', focusing on the act of predicting.

That's what I had foreseen

Substitutes 'expectation' with 'foreseen', implying a more proactive consideration of the future.

That was my understanding

Shifts from expectation to a prior comprehension of the situation.

That's what I had in mind

Focuses on a preconceived plan or intention.

That was my belief

Replaces expectation with a firm conviction or opinion.

I thought that would happen

Simplifies the phrasing to a direct statement of a prior thought.

I believed that would be the case

More formal restatement of a prior belief.

That was what I was counting on

Emphasizes reliance on a particular outcome.

I had anticipated that outcome

Rephrases to focus on the anticipation of a specific result.

FAQs

How can I use "That was my expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "That was my expectation" to express a past anticipation. For instance: "I thought the project would be completed on time; that was my expectation."

What's a more formal way to say "That was my expectation"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "That was my anticipation" or "That was what I foresaw". These alternatives offer a similar meaning with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "That is my expectation" instead of "That was my expectation"?

Yes, "That is my expectation" is correct, but it refers to a current or future expectation, whereas "That was my expectation" refers to a past one. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're discussing.

What can I say instead of "That was my expectation" to sound less direct?

If you want to soften the statement, consider alternatives like "I had hoped for that outcome" or "I was under the impression that would happen". These phrases imply a degree of uncertainty or hopefulness.