expect what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expect what" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express anticipation or inquiry about something specific, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "I don't know what to expect what from this event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He did not expect what he saw.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't expect what happened next.

The New Yorker

He did not expect what happened next.

The Guardian - Tech

He had no reason to expect what was coming.

The New York Times - Sports

"I didn't expect what happened then," Ms. Orlandini said.

The New York Times

There was no reason to expect what unfolded from there.

The New York Times - Sports

They didn't, however, expect what they got: near pandemonium.

The New York Times

"Our sense is that they expect what we've done".

The New York Times

Yes, there's some rehashing here, but that's what we expect — what we love — from Ephron.

The New York Times - Books

"Never in a million years did I expect what he told me," Mr. Salpeter said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Marsha Temlock Westport, Conn., June 5, 2010 The writer is the author of "Your Child's Divorce: What to Expect... What You Can Do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to anticipation or expectation, use more grammatically standard phrases such as "what to expect", "what you should expect", or "what is expected".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "expect what" because it is not grammatically sound in standard English. Instead, use phrases like "what to expect" or "what you should expect" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect what" functions as an interrogative expression where one seeks information about something anticipated. Although present in numerous sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and is better replaced by phrases like "what to expect".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Although the phrase "expect what" is relatively common, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. It appears in diverse sources such as news articles and online wikis, but its grammatical structure is questionable. A more appropriate phrasing would be "what to expect" or "what you should expect". When aiming for clarity and precision in writing, especially in formal contexts, it is advisable to use the grammatically sound alternatives discussed above. Keep in mind that, while "expect what" might be understood, using correct grammar enhances credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what to anticipate

Changes the verb and word order for a more standard phrasing.

what to foresee

Uses "foresee" to emphasize prediction.

what is coming

Focuses on the imminent arrival of something.

what will unfold

Emphasizes a gradual revelation of events.

what the future holds

A more idiomatic way of referring to upcoming events.

what lies ahead

Similar to "what the future holds", but with a sense of journey.

what is in store

Uses an idiom to convey the unknown nature of future events.

what is going to happen

A more direct and less nuanced way to ask about future events.

what to look forward to

Adds an element of positive anticipation.

what to prepare for

Emphasizes readiness for upcoming events, potentially negative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "expect what" to make it grammatically correct?

To correct the phrase "expect what", use alternatives such as "what to expect", "what you should expect", or "what is expected depending on the context.

What is the difference between "expect what" and "what to expect"?

"Expect what" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and commonly used phrase is "what to expect", which refers to anticipating or predicting future events or outcomes.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "expect what" in formal writing?

No, it is not appropriate to use the phrase "expect what" in formal writing. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "what to expect", "what you should expect", or "what is expected" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What are some alternative phrases to "expect what" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives to "expect what" include "what to anticipate", "what is coming", or "what will unfold". These phrases offer similar senses of anticipation or inquiry while maintaining grammatical correctness.