had anticipated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had anticipated that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a prior expectation or prediction about a future event or situation. Example: "She had anticipated that the project would face challenges, so she prepared accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Obey had anticipated that argument.

The New York Times

But Todd Thomson, Citigroup's chief financial officer, said the bank had anticipated that problem.

The New York Times

We are prepared and had anticipated that situation for a long, long time.

The Guardian - Sport

CNBC had anticipated that response.

The New York Times

The Spanish tax agency had anticipated that tax fraud receipts would remain flat.

The New York Times

Analysts had anticipated that the shutdown of Japanese refineries could cut demand.

The New York Times

She had anticipated that she would also take a 2-year graduate degree.

The New York Times

Some experts had anticipated that the Saudis might announce a bigger increase.

The New York Times

Even so, no one had anticipated that all three group matches would be lost.

The Guardian - Sport

Some had anticipated that maybe Casillas, the captain whose form has dropped, might make way.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of the players had anticipated that the scene might be too gruesome.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had anticipated that" when you want to express a prior expectation or prediction based on some evidence or understanding. For example: "The company had anticipated that the new product launch would be successful based on market research."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "had anticipated that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "expected" or "figured" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had anticipated that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement that expresses a prior expectation or prediction. It indicates what someone thought would happen before a particular event occurred. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Energy, Sustainability and Society

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had anticipated that" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express a prior expectation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for formal, professional, and neutral contexts, appearing frequently in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. While less common in casual conversations, it remains a versatile and accurate way to convey foresight. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "expected" or "figured" for informal settings. The prevalence of this phrase across varied authoritative sources underscores its validity and usefulness in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had expected that

Replaces "anticipated" with "expected", suggesting a less formal or proactive expectation.

had foreseen that

Uses "foreseen" instead of "anticipated", implying a more insightful or predictive capability.

had predicted that

Substitutes "anticipated" with "predicted", indicating a more explicit forecast.

had assumed that

Replaces "anticipated" with "assumed", suggesting a belief taken for granted without proof.

had reckoned that

Uses "reckoned" instead of "anticipated", conveying an estimation or calculation.

had believed that

Substitutes "anticipated" with "believed", indicating a conviction or faith in something.

had figured that

Replaces "anticipated" with "figured", implying a conclusion reached through reasoning.

had expected as much

A shorter idiom to signify the same meaning as "had anticipated that".

had been prepared for that

Focuses on the preparation aspect, suggesting readiness for a specific outcome.

had been expecting this outcome

Specifically highlights the expectation of a particular result.

FAQs

What does "had anticipated that" mean?

The phrase "had anticipated that" means someone expected or predicted something would happen in the past. It indicates a prior understanding or expectation of a future event.

How can I use "had anticipated that" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a prior expectation. For example: "She "had anticipated that" the project would be challenging, so she prepared accordingly."

What's a more informal way to say "had anticipated that"?

Informal alternatives include "had expected that", "had figured that", or simply "expected" depending on the context.

Is "had anticipated that" interchangeable with "had expected that"?

While similar, "had anticipated that" often implies a more proactive consideration of potential outcomes, whereas "had expected that" may suggest a more passive expectation.