expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'expect' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as either a noun or a verb depending on the context. Example sentence (verb): I expect my package to arrive soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They think it's unfair to expect Germany to make an open-ended commitment to support these countries in the absence of meaningful reform.

The New York Times

What can we expect?

The New York Times

Supposedly, or so I have heard, some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture, which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes.

The Guardian

So next time you hear someone mouthing off about bloody immigrants, ask how many kids they have, how old they were when they had them and whether or not they expect those children to look after them when they get seriously old.

The Guardian

Expect fireworks.

The Economist

Few expect a multilateral system for negotiating sovereign debt workouts to spring up overnight.

The Guardian - Business

And as far as there was any direction to party policy under Kennedy, it was away from that you would expect from his publicly expressed views.

The Guardian - Opinion

More employers, at 46%, plan to hire temporary contractors, and only half of them expect that these workers will transition into full-time, permanent hires.

The Guardian - Money

Kvitova has always had power and nerve, as you would expect from someone who won on the grass of Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.

The Guardian - Sport

"I have had a few fitness coaches and I always expect too much and it didn't come," Kvitova says.

The Guardian - Sport

Your 9 5 became your 24/7, and when a family member asks how things are going work-wise you give them The Pitch and subconsciously expect constructive feedback.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expect", clarify the basis for your expectation. Is it based on past experience, contractual obligations, or logical deduction?

Common error

Avoid using "expect" when a weaker term like "hope" or "anticipate" is more appropriate. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment or miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expect" is as a verb, indicating anticipation or belief in a future event. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where "expect" is used to express what someone believes will happen or what they anticipate receiving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "expect" is a versatile verb used to express anticipation, anticipation, or belief that something will happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show its prevalence in news, business, and general contexts. When using "expect", ensure clarity about the basis for your anticipation and avoid overstating your anticipation to prevent potential miscommunication. Related phrases include "anticipate", "look forward to", and "await", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate

Focuses more on proactive preparation and foreseeing likely events.

look forward to

Emphasizes a positive expectation and eagerness for something to happen.

await

Implies passively waiting for something to occur.

foresee

Highlights the ability to predict future events or outcomes.

count on

Indicates reliance and confidence in someone or something.

presume

Suggests an assumption based on probability, but with less certainty.

assume

Implies taking something for granted without concrete evidence.

imagine

Focuses on the mental visualization or conceptualization of something.

predict

Highlights the act of forecasting future events based on analysis.

envisage

Implies forming a mental image of a future possibility.

FAQs

How to use "expect" in a sentence?

You can use "expect" to indicate anticipation or belief that something will happen, as in "I "expect to see you tomorrow"" or "They "expect a positive outcome"".

What can I say instead of "expect"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate", "look forward to", or "await" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I expect that he will come" or "I expect him to come"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I "expect him to come"" is generally considered more concise and common in contemporary English.

What's the difference between "expect" and "hope"?

"Expect" suggests a stronger belief or anticipation based on evidence or reason, while "hope" implies a desire for something to happen, often without strong evidence.