big expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"big expectations" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to having high hopes or anticipating something great. Example: My boss has big expectations for our team's performance next quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They have such big expectations.

The New York Times

He's got big expectations for possible sales.

The New Yorker

"Before the season, I had big expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

We have big expectations on ourselves.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr Chan faces a big job, and big expectations.

The Economist

The climate change talks are laden with big expectations.

Independent

Both were longtime starters with big salaries and big expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

In other words, big expectations for not so big prices".

The Guardian

I had big expectations for the rest of the year".

The New York Times - Sports

But then rugby of both codes has tended to have big expectations of Sam Burgess.

Independent

Ms. Mayzler, who said she has "big expectations" for herself and her company, continues to struggle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs like "carry", "handle", "meet" or "face" to describe the relationship between a person or entity and the pressure they are under.

Common error

In strictly academic or technical writing, avoid "big expectations" as it can sound slightly colloquial. Opt for "high expectations" or "significant projections" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big expectations" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "big" modifies the plural noun "expectations". In the sentences provided by Ludwig, it often acts as the direct object of verbs like "have", "face", or "carry", describing a state of intense anticipation or a burden of performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sports Journalism

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academic Writing

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "big expectations" is a widely accepted and correct English expression. Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in news and sports reporting, where it conveys a sense of significant pressure or high stakes. While it is synonymous with "high expectations", it carries a slightly more contemporary and emphatic tone. It is used across various high-quality domains, including The New York Times and BBC, to describe situations ranging from political summits to product launches. Writers should feel confident using it in most professional and journalistic contexts, though more specific academic terms might be preferred in research papers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high expectations

Uses a more standard adjective for a more formal and common register.

great expectations

Often evokes a literary tone due to the Charles Dickens novel but implies a similar magnitude.

huge expectations

Increases the intensity of the modifier, making it more emphatic and slightly more informal.

lofty expectations

Suggests that the expectations are not only large but perhaps idealistic or highly elevated.

ambitious expectations

Focuses on the aspirational nature of the goals being set.

significant expectations

Employs a more analytical or professional adjective.

lofty goals

Shifts the noun to focus on specific targets rather than just general anticipation.

considerable expectations

Suggests a noteworthy or large degree of anticipation that cannot be ignored.

substantial expectations

Implies a large and solid amount of expectation, often in a business context.

tall order

An idiomatic way to describe something that is very difficult to achieve because of high requirements.

FAQs

How do I use "big expectations" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct object, for example: "The new CEO arrives with "big expectations" from the board members."

What is the difference between "big expectations" and "high expectations"?

While both are correct, ""high expectations"" is slightly more formal and more frequent in literature, whereas "big expectations" is common in news headlines and sports journalism.

What can I say instead of "big expectations"?

Depending on the context, you could use "lofty expectations", "great expectations", or "huge expectations".

Is "big expectations" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a correct and widely used noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and the BBC.