at first I expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first I expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing initial thoughts or predictions about a situation that may change over time. Example: "At first I expected the project to take only a few weeks, but it ended up taking several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They wouldn't take her out of the cockpit when I told them she wasn't doing well.' At first I expected Kenny to be my knight in shining armor to help with the whole P.T.S.D. thing.

The New York Times

At first, I expected a lot of backlash to Facebook hashtags.

TechCrunch

At first, I expected political journalists to smile wryly at his attention-seeking antics and then get back to their jobs - assessing the skill sets and character of the candidates who want to lead the country.

Forbes

At first, I expected the worst.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At first I, too, expected to have a death every chapter, to dole out the suicides.

The Guardian - Books

At first, I almost expected to see a group of armed YAs blunder into the wrecked streetscape of mossy, overgrown buildings.

The Guardian - Film

At first, I never expect a MS program advisor to be so kind and patient.

Stanford University

At first, I was expecting a peloton of kindred spirits, that we would all tool around slowly and cautiously making way for the lunatics on their road bikes and fixies.

The New York Times

At first, I didn't expect a mop to be that great a conversationalist.

The New Yorker

At first I was on edge, expecting some sort of altercation, but I was baffled by my first victim's response.

Vice

At first, I found what I had expected: devout Christians, pagan farmers and a polyamorous "family" (my wife, Jean, vetoed that one).

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at first I expected" to clearly delineate your initial assumption from the reality that unfolded. This is especially effective in narratives or analytical writing where you want to highlight a shift in understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "at first I expected" when there is no contrasting outcome or change in circumstances. This phrase implies that your initial expectation was not met or evolved over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first I expected" functions as an introductory clause that sets up a contrast between an initial anticipation and a subsequent reality. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for expressing initial beliefs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at first I expected" is a grammatically correct and neutrally toned introductory clause that sets up a contrast between an initial expectation and a subsequent reality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It's most commonly found in News & Media, academic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that a contrasting outcome or shift in understanding is provided to give the phrase its full meaning. Consider alternatives like "initially I anticipated" or "originally I thought" for variations in formality. Be mindful of providing context to emphasize why the initial expectation is relevant. All things considered, it is more suitable for texts where narratives and explanation can be clearly seen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially, I anticipated

Replaces "at first" with "initially" and "expected" with "anticipated", maintaining a formal tone.

in the beginning, I assumed

Substitutes "at first" with "in the beginning" and "expected" with "assumed", indicating a prior belief.

originally, I thought

Replaces "at first" with "originally" and "expected" with "thought", suggesting an earlier idea.

I initially foresaw

Condenses the phrase, replacing "at first I expected" with "I initially foresaw", implying prediction.

my initial expectation was

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based structure, focusing on the expectation itself.

at the outset, I envisioned

Replaces "at first" with "at the outset" and "expected" with "envisioned", conveying an initial mental image.

to begin with, I reckoned

Uses "to begin with" instead of "at first" and "reckoned" for "expected", offering a more casual tone.

early on, I conceived

Replaces "at first" with "early on" and "expected" with "conceived", emphasizing an early mental formulation.

I had an initial outlook of

Transforms the phrase using "outlook" instead of "expectation", highlighting a perspective.

my preliminary view was

Substitutes the phrase with a focus on a preliminary viewpoint or assessment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at first I expected" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "initially I anticipated" or "originally I had assumed".

Is it always necessary to provide a contrasting outcome after saying "at first I expected"?

While not strictly mandatory, providing a contrasting outcome or shift in understanding after stating "at first I expected" gives the phrase its full meaning and impact. Without it, the phrase might feel incomplete.

What's a more casual way to say "at first I expected"?

Informally, you could say "I originally thought" or "I figured at the start".

Can I use "at first I expected" when the expectation was actually correct?

While it's more common to use the phrase when expectations are unmet, you can use "at first I expected" even if the expectation turned out to be correct. However, ensure the context clarifies why the initial expectation needed emphasizing.