build an expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

"build an expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of creating an anticipation of something in someone's mind. For example: "We worked hard to build an expectation of a great party so that all our guests would be excited to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The aim is to build up an expectation among subscribers that they can learn about the project and take advantage of the work of its contributors.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In other words, the pre-product valuation will already build in an expectation that you can deliver on a great product.

TechCrunch

But it is hard to build a projection on an expectation, he said, and "we haven't incorporated that into the projections as yet".

The New York Times

Nor is it a suspense built by an expectation that UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations will have come into full effect by that time.

The New York Times

In a sense, Schumer and Clinton had created a monster that came back to bite them: with the promise from the president, they had built up an expectation -- $20 billion for New York alone -- that could not be met.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have built up an expectation by giving in to this in the past so now it's hard to break that pattern and get my own space back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Curve, Leicester, Sat; Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne, Wed & Thu; Hull Truck, Fri to 19 May Lyn Gardner As well as being one of the cultural highlights of a London summer, the Open Air Theatre has built up an expectation for its big musical show.

The Guardian

"If the Olympic debacle media reports are accurate, then it is very clear that these private contracts are built upon an expectation that the public sector will step in to pick up the pieces if private industry fails to deliver".

BBC

"Facebook could pull it off, but it's hard to build a platform that meets the expectation for so many different kind of human interactions in the business context, as well as the personal one," he said.

TechCrunch

I have seen programs designed for rural Bihar in which loan recipients were told they would be distributed $200 to build a household toilet with the expectation that this money be repaid in 12 to 18 months, an economic impossibility.

Huffington Post

What that means is you build in the imagination of the listener by actually refusing to build, which arouses an expectation".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build an expectation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the expectation is and how it is being built. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "build an expectation" if you are unsure whether the expectation can be met. Overpromising can lead to disappointment and loss of credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build an expectation" functions as a verb phrase followed by an article and a noun, indicating the action of creating or fostering a sense of anticipation or belief regarding a future event or outcome. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used in contexts ranging from marketing campaigns to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "build an expectation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of creating anticipation or belief about a future event. As Ludwig AI explains, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring that the context clearly defines what the expectation is and that it is reasonable to fulfill that expectation. The sources and examples suggest that it is common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Remember to avoid overpromising to prevent disappointment. Consider alternatives like "create anticipation" or "foster anticipation" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create anticipation

Focuses on the act of generating a sense of anticipation.

foster anticipation

Implies nurturing or encouraging anticipation to grow.

develop an expectation

Highlights the gradual formation of an expectation.

cultivate a belief

Suggests carefully nurturing a belief to become an expectation.

instill a hope

Emphasizes creating a sense of hope that turns into an expectation.

generate excitement

Focuses on creating a feeling of excitement that leads to an expectation.

set the stage for

Implies preparing a situation for a particular expectation to arise.

lay the groundwork for

Suggests establishing a foundation that leads to an expectation.

promote the idea

Highlights promoting a particular idea that shapes an expectation.

encourage the thought

Focuses on fostering a specific thought that develops into an expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "build an expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "build an expectation" to describe the process of creating anticipation or belief about a future event or outcome. For example, "The marketing campaign aimed to build an expectation of high demand for the new product."

What are some alternatives to "build an expectation"?

You can use alternatives such as "create anticipation", "foster anticipation", or "develop an expectation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "build an expectation" or "manage expectations"?

Whether to "build an expectation" or "manage expectations" depends on the context. "Build an expectation" is used when you want to create anticipation, while "manage expectations" is used when you want to ensure that expectations are realistic and avoid disappointment.

What is the difference between "build an expectation" and "set an expectation"?

"Build an expectation" implies a gradual process of creating anticipation, while "set an expectation" suggests establishing a clear standard or requirement from the outset.