had high expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had high expectations" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that one had an expectation of a certain outcome or result. For example: I had high expectations for the new product launch, but it didn't go as planned.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had high expectations.

The Guardian

I had high expectations going into Prometheus.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We had high expectations coming into this year.

The New York Times - Sports

They had high expectations, but I learned a tremendous amount".

The New York Times

I had high expectations when I arrived in Kingham.

Independent

MY parents had high expectations for my sister and me.

The New York Times

At Darwen we were clear we had high expectations.

The Guardian

"I had high expectations coming into the meet.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's been disappointing this season because we had high expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've always had high expectations for our team.

The New York Times - Sports

We had high expectations and they were fulfilled.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had high expectations", ensure the context clearly indicates what those expectations were related to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had high expectations" without clearly defining what the expectations pertained to. Always provide context or a specific object of expectation to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had high expectations" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a state of anticipation or belief regarding a future outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples on Ludwig demonstrate its common use in various contexts, from sports to personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had high expectations" is a common and grammatically correct way to express anticipation or hope for a particular outcome, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in various contexts, including news, sports, and academic discussions. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context about what the expectations relate to, avoiding ambiguity. While alternatives like "anticipated great things" or "looked forward to greatly" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and widely understood expression. Due to its frequency and diverse application, mastering its usage can significantly enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected considerable success

Focuses specifically on the expectation of achieving a high level of success.

anticipated great things

Shifts the focus from expectations to the anticipation of positive outcomes.

anticipated a positive outcome

Highlights the expectation of a favorable result or conclusion.

held great hopes

Highlights the element of hope and optimism in the expectation.

looked forward to greatly

Emphasizes the positive anticipation and excitement associated with an event or outcome.

counted on significant achievements

Focuses on relying on the attainment of notable accomplishments.

envisioned remarkable results

Highlights the mental image or vision of exceptional results.

believed in a promising future

Emphasizes the belief in a positive future or potential.

presumed a favorable result

Implies a degree of assumption or presumption regarding a positive outcome.

assumed considerable progress

Suggests a prior assumption of making significant advancements.

FAQs

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

You can use "had high expectations" to express anticipation or hope for a particular outcome. For example, "I "had high expectations" for the movie, but it was disappointing".

What are some alternatives to "had high expectations"?

Alternatives include "anticipated great things", "looked forward to greatly", or "held great hopes".

Is it better to say "had high expectations" or "had higher expectations"?

The choice depends on the context. "Had high expectations" is generally used to indicate a general anticipation. "Had higher expectations" implies a comparison to previous expectations or someone else's expectations.

What's the difference between "had high expectations" and "set high expectations"?

"Had high expectations" refers to an individual's personal anticipation, whereas "set high expectations" implies establishing standards for oneself or others.