great expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a strong belief or hope that something will happen, often in a positive context. Example: "She had great expectations for her future after graduating from college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Artificial Intelligence

Arts

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

TV & Radio

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We show that a notion of generalized expected utility proposed in [F. Chu, J.Y. Halpern, Great expectation. Part I: On the customizability of generalized expected utility, in: Proc.

Artificial Intelligence

My worry is that if you are captain you are expected to turn up and there is great expectation on you to play but now Aaron is not captain.

BBC

Then came songs from the band's current album, "Great Expectation" (EOne Music).

The New York Times - Arts

The leadership challenge has not been mounted in any great expectation that it will succeed.

The Guardian - Opinion

With great expectation I visited the site at what I thought was the peak bloom time.

The New York Times

There's a great expectation that once you come out of a psychiatric hospital you're cured.

The Guardian - Sport

By wrenching the songs so far away from their original versions, the Jolly Boys (and the British producers behind "Great Expectation") forced them to be heard afresh.

The New York Times - Arts

"Oh, yes, because that is a great expectation to put on a first-time director," Mr. Stewart said in response to the question.

The New York Times

It's why I leap on every new Neutrogena launch with great expectation, the latest being Hydro Boost, for dehydrated faces, from £4.99.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm very sorry about the great expectation among some historians that they all want the DNA to confirm their hypothesis," Dr. Lorente said.

The New York Times

With great achievement comes great expectation, as Charles Dickens might have said if he had got in a room with Stan Lee.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great expectation" to convey a strong sense of anticipation or hope, particularly when there is a reasonable basis for the expectation. For a more informal tone, consider using "high hopes".

Common error

Avoid using "great expectation" in overly casual conversations where simpler phrases like "looking forward to it" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great expectation" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It expresses a state of anticipation or hope for a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Sport

4%

Less common in

Artificial Intelligence

1%

Lifestyle

1%

Books

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great expectation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong sense of anticipation or hope. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts. While suitable for news, science, and general media, it might be overly formal for very casual conversations. Consider simpler alternatives like "high hopes" or "looking forward to it" in informal settings. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and its neutral register makes it versatile for various writing styles. The phrase's prevalence across reputable sources like the The New York Times and BBC underscores its widespread acceptance and appropriate use in formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high hopes

Emphasizes hopefulness rather than a firm belief in a specific outcome.

eager anticipation

Highlights the eagerness and excitement associated with awaiting something.

strong anticipation

Focuses on the intensity of the anticipation.

keen anticipation

Implies a sharp and focused sense of anticipation.

look forward to

A common phrase indicating anticipation and pleasure.

high anticipation

Similar to 'great expectation' but slightly less formal.

hope for the best

Focuses more on the hope element, potentially in the face of uncertainty.

confident anticipation

Highlights a sense of confidence in the expected outcome.

sanguine expectation

Sanguine implies optimism and a positive outlook.

positive outlook

Focuses on a generally optimistic perspective regarding future events.

FAQs

How can I use "great expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "great expectation" to express strong anticipation or hope. For example, "The fans have "great expectation" for the team's performance this season."

What's a simpler alternative to "great expectation"?

For a less formal alternative, you could use phrases like "high hopes" or "looking forward to it". For instance, "I have "high hopes" for the project's success" is a simpler way to express a similar sentiment.

Is "great expectation" formal or informal?

"Great expectation" is generally considered a somewhat formal phrase. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, or professional communication. Simpler alternatives might be better for casual contexts.

What's the difference between "great expectation" and "high hopes"?

While both phrases express anticipation, "great expectation" implies a stronger belief in a specific outcome, whereas "high hopes" suggests a more general wish for a positive result. 'Great Expectation' is a stronger statement.