a sense of expectancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sense of expectancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of anticipation or hope regarding a future event or outcome. Example: "As the day of the concert approached, there was a palpable sense of expectancy among the fans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I grew up in a Muslim house, and there's a sense of expectancy.

Independent

There is a sense of expectancy, as though we are looking at a stage set where a performance is about to begin.

The New Yorker

As we assembled at the start of the race on that cloudy, chilly morning in October, there was a sense of expectancy and excitement.

The New Yorker

Slogans like "Go forward, never go back" and advice to cultivate and maintain a sense of expectancy may not mean much without a context, but Ms. Stritch makes them come alive every second she commands the Cafe Carlyle's tiny platform stage with the authority of woman who has been there, done that, done it again and come up grinning.

The New York Times - Arts

PORT BLAIR, India, 7 February 2005 - It is lunch time and the fragrance of cooked food is infusing the air with a sense of expectancy.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Create a sense of anticipation with words and phrases such as can't wait, the best is yet to come, eager, curious, hope, expectancy, our promise is our guarantee and so forth.

Forbes

As the New York University law professor Stephen Holmes puts it towards the end of the book, even if our system doesn't "guarantee good governance", a change in the team in power can still produce "a sense of buoyant expectancy" and "social energy throughout the community".

The Guardian - Books

The method provides increasingly realistic pre-exposure to stress through training simulation; through successive approximations, the learner builds a sense of positive expectancy and outcome and a greater sense of mastery and confidence.

Security Informatics

His first year saw him enter the sport surrounded by a great sense of expectancy, at the end of which he had to deal with the disappointment of seeing the world championship slip away from him almost at the final moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Reading them, you sense what's about to happen before it does and this sense of expectancy happens not in an obvious way but because you have become complicit with both the story and its consequences - you have been made local to its characters.

The Guardian - Books

If anything, New Zealand's 32-19 weekend win over Australia in Tokyo has increased the sense of expectancy, with both teams showing signs of an upturn en route to Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sense of expectancy" when you want to convey a feeling of anticipation, hope, or excitement about something that is about to happen. It's particularly effective when describing collective emotions or atmospheres.

Common error

While "a sense of expectancy" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in very casual or informal situations where simpler terms like "anticipation" or "excitement" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of expectancy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence to describe a state or feeling. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of expectancy" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe an atmosphere of anticipation and hope. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriateness for use across various contexts, although it is relatively rare. It functions as a noun phrase, serving to convey the feeling of anticipation about something that is about to happen. Primarily found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When aiming for a more concise expression, consider using alternatives such as "anticipation" or "expectation" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of anticipation

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", focusing on the emotional aspect.

an expectation

Directly states the existence of anticipation.

an air of expectation

Uses "air" to suggest a prevailing atmosphere of expectation.

a mood of expectancy

Substitutes "sense" with "mood", highlighting the emotional state.

a climate of expectation

Emphasizes the prevailing environment or atmosphere of expectation.

an anticipation

A more concise version, removing "sense of" for brevity.

a hopeful outlook

Focuses on the positive and hopeful aspect of anticipation.

a premonition

Suggests a feeling that something is about to happen, often negative.

a waiting game

Highlights the act of waiting with anticipation.

on tenterhooks

Describes a state of nervous anticipation or suspense.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of expectancy" in a sentence?

You can use "a sense of expectancy" to describe an atmosphere or feeling of anticipation, such as "There was "a sense of expectancy" in the air as the clock ticked down to midnight."

What's a more concise way to express "a sense of expectancy"?

Alternatives include "anticipation" or "expectation", which can be used depending on the context without losing the core meaning.

What's the difference between "a sense of expectancy" and "a feeling of anticipation"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "a sense of expectancy" often implies a broader, more pervasive atmosphere, whereas "a feeling of anticipation" might refer to a more personal or individual emotion.

When is it best to use "a sense of expectancy" over simpler alternatives?

Use "a sense of expectancy" when you want to emphasize the atmosphere or mood surrounding an event, rather than just the individual's feeling. It's well-suited for formal or descriptive writing.