expecting that

USAGE SUMMARY

"expecting that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce a clause that presents the expected outcome of a situation. For example: We opened the door carefully, expecting that a wild animal may have gotten into the house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wasn't expecting that.

The New York Times

Was anyone expecting that?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I wasn't expecting that," he said.

The New York Times - Food

You weren't expecting that, were you?

The New Yorker

So I wasn't expecting that".

The Guardian - Film

"I wasn't expecting that," Ms. Barth gasped.

The New York Times - Style

Nobody's expecting that would happen overnight".

The New York Times

"We are expecting that market to be very strong".

The Guardian - Tech

Officials were expecting that text by midnight on Thursday.

The New York Times

You're expecting that trend to continue?

Forbes

"We weren't expecting that," Snyder says.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expecting that" to clearly introduce a subordinate clause that states what you believe will happen as a result of a certain action or situation. It provides a direct way to express anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "expecting that" when you want to express a certain outcome, as expectation doesn't guarantee the outcome. Instead, use phrases like "ensuring that" or "guaranteeing that" when certainty is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expecting that" functions as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an anticipated outcome or belief. It's used to connect a main clause with a clause detailing what someone believes will happen as a result. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expecting that" is a frequently used conjunction phrase that introduces a clause expressing an anticipated outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media. While similar phrases like "anticipating that" or "assuming that" can serve as alternatives, the choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, remember that expectation doesn't guarantee the outcome; it's a belief about what will happen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating that

Similar in meaning, but implies a slightly more active form of foreseeing the outcome.

predicting that

Focuses more on the act of making a prediction about a future event.

foreseeing that

Suggests a deeper, perhaps intuitive, understanding of an impending event.

assuming that

Implies a belief without concrete proof, a presumption about what will happen.

believing that

Highlights the internal conviction or faith in a particular outcome.

assuming as much

A more concise way of expressing an expectation, often used in informal contexts.

taking for granted that

Suggests that the outcome is so certain that it's almost overlooked.

presuming that

Similar to "assuming that", but can imply a more formal or legal context.

with the expectation that

A more formal and explicit way to state the expected outcome.

in the hope that

Expresses a desire for a particular outcome, rather than a firm belief.

FAQs

How to use "expecting that" in a sentence?

The phrase "expecting that" is used to introduce a clause describing an anticipated outcome. For example, "They invested heavily, "expecting that" the market would grow".

What can I say instead of "expecting that"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipating that", "predicting that", or "assuming that" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to use "expecting that" or "anticipating that"?

"Anticipating that" tends to be slightly more formal than "expecting that", but both are suitable for professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "expecting that" and "hoping that"?

"Expecting that" implies a reasonable degree of certainty or anticipation based on available information, while "hoping that" suggests a desire for a particular outcome without a strong basis for belief.