had excessive expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had excessive expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's unrealistic or overly high hopes or demands regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "She had excessive expectations for the project's success, which led to disappointment when the results fell short."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process".

The New Yorker

And I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process," McConnell reportedly said.

Vice

"And I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process"..@SenateMajLdr: "Our new @POTUS has of course not been in this line of work before, and I think had excessive expectations".

Huffington Post

McConnell cited Trump's political inexperience and said the president had "excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"After 7 years of hearing Repeal & Replace, why not done?" McConnell had accused Trump of having "excessive expectations" for legislative progress during remarks to a Rotary Club in Kentucky on Monday.

Huffington Post

All still had excessive cavities and abscesses.

The New York Times

It has excessive postage.

The New York Times

Having excessive castor is puzzling.

The Economist

The public prosecutor has excessive powers.

The Economist

Holbein's portraits have excessive presence.

The Guardian

Hyperactivity means having excessive amounts of energy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "had excessive expectations", ensure the context clearly defines what those expectations were and why they were considered excessive. Provide specific examples or details.

Common error

Avoid using "had excessive expectations" without specifying what those expectations were. This can leave the reader confused about the actual issue. Always provide context to clarify the nature of the excessive expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had excessive expectations" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to characterize someone's overly optimistic or unrealistic outlook on a situation. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had excessive expectations" is grammatically correct and serves to describe someone who held unrealistically high hopes. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its common use in news and media, highlighting situations where individuals or groups anticipated outcomes far beyond what was reasonably achievable. While not inherently negative, the phrase often carries a tone of caution, suggesting potential disappointment. It's advisable to use the phrase with clear context, specifying the nature of the "excessive expectations" for better understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held unrealistic expectations

Focuses on the degree of realism in expectations, rather than the excess.

maintained overly optimistic outlooks

Emphasizes the positive bias affecting expectations.

fostered inflated hopes

Highlights the artificial elevation of expectations.

nurtured exaggerated anticipations

Emphasizes that it involves excessive anticipation.

labored under delusions of grandeur

Stronger, implies a significant disconnect from reality.

entertained fanciful notions

Highlights the whimsical or unrealistic nature of the expectations.

believed in idealistic scenarios

Focuses on the belief in ideal circumstances.

clung to pipe dreams

Implies unrealistic and unattainable desires.

envisioned utopian possibilities

Suggests a belief in perfect, but often unattainable, outcomes.

imagined perfection

Highlights the pursuit of an unattainable ideal.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "excessive expectations"?

To have "excessive expectations" means to anticipate outcomes that are unrealistically high or demanding, often leading to disappointment when reality falls short.

How can I avoid "having excessive expectations"?

To avoid "having excessive expectations", try to base your anticipations on realistic assessments of a situation, considering potential challenges and limitations.

What are some alternative ways to say someone "had excessive expectations"?

You could say they "held unrealistic expectations", "maintained overly optimistic outlooks", or "fostered inflated hopes".

Is it always bad to have "excessive expectations"?

While high aspirations can be motivating, "excessive expectations" can lead to disappointment and stress. It's important to balance ambition with a realistic understanding of what's achievable.