expect him to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expect him to" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you expect someone to do something specific. For example: "I expect him to arrive at 3pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expect him to shine.

The New York Times - Arts

Few expect him to succeed.

The Economist

They expect him to.

The New York Times - Sports

Expect him to break it soon.

The New York Times

You almost expect him to levitate.

The New York Times - Magazine

We expect him to drive in runs".

The New York Times - Sports

I expect him to absolutely be playing".

The New York Times - Sports

Most observers expect him to take it.

The Economist

"Do I expect him to play tomorrow?

The New York Times - Sports

"We expect him to be a player.

The New York Times - Sports

I did not expect him to be.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expect him to" when you have a reasonable basis for anticipating a specific action or outcome from someone. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for your expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "expect him to" if the anticipated action is unlikely or unreasonable given the person's abilities or circumstances. Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and strained relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect him to" functions as a verb phrase indicating anticipation or expectation of a future action performed by a specific male individual. It sets up an expectation based on prior knowledge, understanding, or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a valid and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expect him to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express anticipation of a male individual's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in English, particularly in news, sports, and business contexts. When using "expect him to", ensure that the expectation is reasonable and clearly communicated. Consider alternatives like "anticipate his action" or "count on him to" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to avoid setting unrealistic expectations, as this can lead to miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

count on him to

Emphasizes reliance and confidence in the person's action.

rely on him to

Similar to "count on", but slightly more formal.

predict he will

Focuses on predicting the future action, simplifying the structure.

trust him to

Highlights the aspect of trust in the person fulfilling the expectation.

it's predicted he'll

Contracts "it is predicted" for a slightly more casual tone while retaining the sense of prediction.

anticipate his action

Replaces "expect" with "anticipate" and changes the structure to focus on the action.

it is anticipated that he will

Formalizes the expectation into a general anticipation.

foresee his behavior

Uses "foresee" to imply prediction of behavior, shifting from expectation to foresight.

I imagine he will

Uses "imagine" to convey a personal belief or expectation.

assume he's going to

Uses "assume" to express a belief about a future action, making it less formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "expect him to" to express anticipation of someone's actions. For example, "I expect him to arrive on time" shows you anticipate his promptness.

What's a formal alternative to "expect him to"?

A more formal alternative is "it is anticipated that he will". For example, "It is anticipated that he will complete the project by Friday".

What can I say instead of "expect him to" to express confidence?

To convey confidence, you can use phrases like "count on him to" or "rely on him to". For example, "I "count on him to" deliver the presentation successfully".

Is "expect of him to" grammatically correct instead of "expect him to"?

No, "expect of him to" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "expect him to" followed by the action you anticipate.