expect to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expect to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing anticipated events or outcomes in various contexts, such as predictions or forecasts. Example: "We expect the project to happen on schedule, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'What did people expect to happen?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What should we expect to happen?

The New York Times

What can we expect to happen next?

Harvard Business Review

What did he expect to happen?

The Washington Post

What would you expect to happen in three no-trump?

The New York Times

And that's what I expect to happen this time.

The New York Times

That's exactly what we would expect to happen.

The Economist

"It's not anything we'd ever expect to happen again".

Independent

"I don't know what you'd expect to happen here.

The New Yorker

And what can we expect to happen from here?

The Guardian - Sport

But what, exactly, did Dame "Danger" Kiri expect to happen?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expect to happen" when you want to express a reasonable belief about a future event based on current circumstances or past experiences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "expect to happen" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "anticipate" or "foresee", especially in formal or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect to happen" functions as an infinitive phrase used to express anticipation or a reasonable belief about a future event. Ludwig shows that it is used in various contexts to predict or anticipate outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expect to happen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase for expressing anticipation or a reasonable belief about a future event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, academic writing, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, more formal synonyms like "anticipate" or "foresee" might be preferred in specific situations. It's important to remember that "expect to happen" implies a level of certainty based on evidence or past experience, distinguishing it from assumptions. To enhance writing, it's advisable to vary phrasing and avoid overuse of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate occurring

Focuses on the anticipation of an event taking place.

foresee taking place

Emphasizes the ability to see or predict an event.

predict to occur

Highlights the act of making a prediction about an event.

envisage unfolding

Suggests a mental picture of how an event will develop.

look forward to happening

Expresses a positive expectation about a future event.

presume will transpire

Implies an assumption that an event will occur.

assume to come about

Focuses on the assumption of an event's eventual existence.

figure on transpiring

Implies making plans based on an event occurring.

deem likely to arise

Conveys a formal assessment of an event's probability.

count on unfolding

Suggests relying on the occurrence of an event.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "expect to happen"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate occurring", "foresee taking place", or "predict to occur" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "expected to happen" instead of "expect to happen"?

Yes, "expected to happen" is a passive form and is grammatically correct. It shifts the focus to the event itself rather than the person doing the expecting. For example, "The changes were expected to happen soon."

How do I use "expect to happen" in a sentence?

You can use "expect to happen" to express a belief about a future event. For instance, "We expect the meeting to happen next week" or "They didn't expect this problem to happen."

What's the difference between "assume to happen" and "expect to happen"?

"Assume to happen" implies a belief without strong evidence, while "expect to happen" suggests a belief based on some level of evidence or past experience. Expectation carries a higher degree of certainty than assumption.