expectations were high

USAGE SUMMARY

"expectations were high" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where there is a strong belief or anticipation that something will happen or be achieved. Example: "As they were about to release their highly anticipated new product, expectations were high among the company's investors and customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expectations were high.

The New York Times

So our expectations were high.

The New York Times

The expectations were high.

The New York Times

Understandably, expectations were high.

The New York Times - Books

The family's expectations were high.

The New York Times - Health

Commitment and expectations were high.

Harvard Business Review

Expectations were high; the reviews were bad.

The Guardian

Expectations were high for the re-match.

The Guardian

Expectations were high, but... expectations were dashed.

The Guardian - Opinion

He acknowledged that expectations were high and difficult to reach.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very tough because the expectations were high," Bowa said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expectations were high" when you want to convey that there was a strong belief or anticipation about a particular outcome or event. It's effective in describing situations where there was considerable hope or pressure for success.

Common error

Avoid using "expectations were high" when describing personal hopes or desires. This phrase usually applies to broader situations involving groups or public figures. If referring to personal hopes, consider using "I had high hopes" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expectations were high" functions as a statement indicating a significant level of anticipation or belief in a positive outcome. It typically sets the stage for describing subsequent events or outcomes, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it introduces whether the expectations were met or dashed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expectations were high" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to denote a state of significant anticipation or strong belief in a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is generally correct and widely applied across different contexts. Analysis shows that it most frequently appears in news and media, conveying an environment of pressure. When writing, it’s important to use it to set the scene for a description of a situation, and ensure the situation involves a broad range of people, avoiding using it for individual purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipation was great

Focuses on the feeling of anticipation rather than the level of expectation.

there was great anticipation

Similar to "anticipation was great" but with a different sentence structure.

hopes were elevated

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of hoping for a good outcome.

projections were optimistic

Highlights the positive forecasts or predictions.

much was anticipated

A more passive way of stating that a lot was expected.

optimism was rampant

Highlights a widespread positive feeling about the future.

excitement was palpable

Focuses on the strong feeling of excitement surrounding the event.

a lot was riding on it

Indicates that the outcome was very important.

stakes were considerable

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the situation.

the pressure was on

Emphasizes the pressure to perform well.

FAQs

How can I use "expectations were high" in a sentence?

You can use "expectations were high" to describe a situation where there was significant anticipation or belief in a positive outcome. For example, "Expectations were high for the new product launch."

What's the difference between "expectations were high" and "hopes were high"?

"Expectations were high" emphasizes a rational assessment or anticipation based on evidence, while "hopes were high" focuses on an emotional desire for a positive outcome. The former implies more of a calculated anticipation, and the latter suggests a wishful sentiment.

What can I say instead of "expectations were high"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipation was great", "optimism was rampant", or "much was anticipated" depending on the context.

Is it always positive to say "expectations were high"?

Not necessarily. While it often suggests anticipation for a positive outcome, "expectations were high" can also imply pressure or a higher risk of disappointment if those expectations are not met. The overall tone depends on the context.