could not expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing disbelief or surprise about an outcome that was not anticipated. Example: "Given the circumstances, I could not expect such a positive response from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without battalion-command experience in Vietnam, a young lieutenant colonel could not expect promotion.

The New Yorker

A country with boisterous dating shows, presumably, could not expect to achieve that.

The Economist

On Sunday, Assange argued that Snowden could not expect justice in that court.

The Washington Post

Consequently, they said, she knew she could not expect the government to recommend lenient sentencing.

The New York Times

"Only a wild optimist could not expect more redemptions," he said.

The New York Times

"But we could not expect there to be huge groups of Rangers or Lightning fans".

The New York Times - Sports

He warned Britain could not expect to be allowed an "à la carte" Europe.

The Guardian - Business

I could not expect family members to take care of him – he needed professionals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even the magisterial Robinson could not expect to compete against such an opponent.

The Guardian - Sport

The Foreign Ministry said Russian citizens could not expect to be treated fairly in the American justice system.

The New York Times

Like many others, she said that inexperienced young photographers and journalists could not expect to be sent on assignment untried.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not expect", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the lack of anticipation. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "could not expect" when the situation merely presents a surprising or unusual outcome. This phrase is most accurate when an outcome contradicts established norms, patterns, or reasonable assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not expect" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a lack of anticipation or disbelief about a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English expression. The examples illustrate its use in scenarios where outcomes were not reasonably foreseeable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not expect" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express a lack of anticipation or surprise at an outcome. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and broad usability are well-established. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using "could not expect", ensure that the context implies a reasonable lack of anticipation. Alternatives such as "did not anticipate" or "did not foresee" offer subtle variations in meaning. Overall, understanding the appropriate context is crucial for effectively using this common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not anticipate

Replaces the modal verb "could" with the past tense "did" emphasizing a lack of foresight.

did not foresee

Implies an inability to see or predict something beforehand.

had no expectation of

More formal and emphasizes the absence of any prior anticipation.

were not counting on

Suggests a reliance or dependence that was misplaced or absent.

should not have anticipated

Implies that anticipating the outcome would have been unreasonable or inappropriate.

had no reason to believe

Highlights the lack of justification for expecting a particular result.

never imagined

Emphasizes a complete lack of forethought or consideration.

it was unlikely that

Shifts the focus to the probability of the event rather than the anticipation.

it was not reasonable to assume

Highlights the unreasonableness of expecting something.

there was no basis to presume

Suggests that there was no foundation or reason to expect something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "could not expect" in a sentence?

Use "could not expect" to express a lack of anticipation for a particular outcome, as in, "Given the circumstances, we "could not expect" such a positive result."

What are some alternatives to "could not expect"?

Alternatives include phrases like "did not anticipate", "did not foresee", or "had no expectation of", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it ever incorrect to use "could not expect"?

While grammatically correct, "could not expect" might be unsuitable if the context implies a mere surprise rather than a contradiction of reasonable expectations. In such cases, consider using alternatives that emphasize surprise rather than lack of anticipation.

What's the difference between "could not expect" and "did not want"?

"Could not expect" implies a lack of anticipation or likelihood, while "did not want" expresses a desire for something not to happen. They address different aspects: expectation versus desire.