beginning to expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning to expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is starting to have an expectation about something that may happen in the future. Example: "After several weeks of waiting for a response, I am beginning to expect that I might not hear back from them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

According to the Times, Mourinho has held talks with the Old Trafford boardroom and is beginning to expect, rather than hope, to be installed as their new manager.

Independent

"I think consumers are now beginning to expect higher quality products, and they're willing to pay more for it," said Skelly.

The Guardian

Shoppers are growing accustomed to the benefits of digital in other retail settings and are beginning to expect them in grocery as well.

The Guardian

With the economy looking less healthy than before, Wall Street is beginning to expect that the Federal Reserve Board will cut interest rates again within the next few months in an effort to stave off a double-dip recession.

The New York Times

"Consumers and retailers like these programs — something unique and different to cut through the clutter — and are even beginning to expect them," said Joe Tuza, vice president for the Del Monte Pet Products division of Del Monte, based in Pittsburgh.

The New York Times

"You have a lot of TV shows on now that focus on partying and nightclubs, and customers are beginning to expect that same treatment," said Louis Pacheco, an owner of Select, which is also offering membership cards on alligator skin ($1,500 a year), with perks including a personal waitress and a security guard who will help you cut to the front of the bathroom line.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"You almost began to expect the ball to fly back out from the paint," Uzoh said.

The New York Times - Sports

Employers begin to expect the top-up from government and set their pay accordingly.

The Guardian

You begin to expect the cast-list to be a cocktail menu.

The Guardian

"People may begin to expect low-cost financing at all times," Mr. Hall said.

The New York Times

Well, in the sense that you begin to expect it morning after morning, yes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beginning to expect", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the emerging expectation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "beginning to expect" when describing a sudden or immediate expectation. This phrase is most effective when indicating a gradual development of an expectation over time, rather than an instantaneous one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning to expect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initial stages of forming an expectation or anticipation. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes a gradual shift in belief or anticipation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning to expect" is a versatile expression used to describe the gradual development of an expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed in various contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media, conveying emerging anticipations based on current trends or events. While similar phrases like "starting to anticipate" or "coming to expect" exist, "beginning to expect" carries a subtle nuance of gradual and perhaps less certain anticipation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the developing expectation to avoid ambiguity, and refrain from using it in situations where expectations arise suddenly. By grasping these subtleties, writers can effectively leverage "beginning to expect" to convey a sense of developing anticipation with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coming to expect

Similar in meaning, but implies a gradual shift in expectations.

starting to anticipate

Focuses on the act of looking forward to something, emphasizing anticipation.

growing to anticipate

Emphasizes a gradual increase in anticipation over time.

developing an expectation

Focuses on the creation and growth of an expectation.

starting to believe

Highlights the development of a conviction or trust in something.

getting used to expecting

Indicates an adaptation to a particular expectation.

inclined to expect

Suggests a predisposition or tendency to expect something.

starting to assume

Shifts the nuance towards making an assumption rather than having an expectation.

beginning to think

Indicates the start of a thought process, which might lead to an expectation.

starting to foresee

Focuses on predicting or seeing something in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "beginning to expect" in a sentence?

You can use "beginning to expect" to describe a gradual development of anticipation, as in "After the positive initial results, we are "beginning to expect" a complete recovery."

What's a good alternative to "beginning to expect"?

Alternatives include "starting to anticipate", "coming to expect", or "growing to anticipate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "We are "starting to anticipate" positive results" conveys a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "beginning to expect"?

Yes, it's less suitable when describing immediate or sudden expectations. For instance, if something happens instantly, "beginning to expect" wouldn't be the best choice; instead, use phrases like "immediately expected" or "instantly anticipated".

What's the difference between "beginning to expect" and "starting to expect"?

While similar, "beginning to expect" often implies a more gradual and perhaps less certain development of expectation compared to "starting to expect". "We are "beginning to expect" rain" suggests a gathering feeling, while "We are "starting to expect" rain" might indicate a more definitive shift in expectation.