had high expectations for

USAGE SUMMARY

That phrase is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you are hopeful for something to happen. For example, "I had high expectations for the new movie adaptation, but unfortunately it was a letdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I didn't exactly expect myself -- I guess I had high expectations for myself, but I didn't -- you know, I wasn't sure how everything was going to play out, especially with having to go to Q-school and play through the fall series.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Sports

MY parents had high expectations for my sister and me.

The New York Times

So, it's fair to say I had high expectations for Delirium.

The Guardian

"I had high expectations for these Games, and they've certainly exceeded them," Coates said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had high expectations for this season, especially pitching a full season," Pettitte said.

The New York Times - Sports

Then there are guys we had big hopes for and had high expectations for, and they moved on and rebounded".

The New York Times

Samsung had high expectations for the latest Galaxy phone, which was released last month, to help continue the momentum.

The New York Times

Mr. Suleiman told reporters before meeting the Israeli officials that he had "high expectations" for a deal.

The New York Times

"We had high expectations for his future and it's tragically been cut very short here," said McCarty.

The Guardian

When Zynga filed its prospectus in July, investors had high expectations for start-ups, particularly those built on social networks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "had high expectations for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what those expectations were and why they were held. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that you "had high expectations for" something without explaining the basis for those expectations. Failing to provide context can make your statement seem unfounded or naive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had high expectations for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of anticipation or anticipation of a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had high expectations for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express anticipation of a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a versatile phrase, clarity is key: always provide context for what those expectations were and why they were held. By avoiding unsubstantiated claims and providing specific details, you can effectively communicate your anticipation and its basis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated a lot from

Replaces "expectations" with a direct statement of anticipation, slightly altering the emphasis.

held great hopes for

Substitutes "expectations" with "hopes", softening the tone and focusing on desire rather than anticipation.

looked forward to greatly

Emphasizes the positive anticipation and eagerness associated with the object of expectation.

predicted success for

Focuses on predicting a positive outcome, shifting the emphasis from expectation to prediction.

foresee a bright future for

Suggests a long-term positive outlook, changing the scope of expectation to the future.

believed strongly in

Highlights belief and confidence, rather than expectation, in the potential of something or someone.

counted on greatly

Emphasizes reliance and dependence, shifting the focus from anticipation to dependability.

harbored strong faith in

Introduces a sense of faith and conviction, changing the tone from expectation to trust.

envisioned triumph for

Focuses on envisioning a victorious outcome, adding a visual and imaginative element to the expectation.

presumed a positive result

Suggests an assumption of positivity, rather than a proactive expectation.

FAQs

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

Use "had high expectations for" to express anticipation of a positive outcome. For example, "The investors "had high expectations for" the new tech startup."

What are some alternatives to saying "had high expectations for"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipated a lot from", "held great hopes for", or "looked forward to greatly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "had high hopes for" or "had high expectations for"?

Both "had high hopes for" and ""had high expectations for"" are correct, but "expectations" implies a stronger belief in a likely positive outcome based on some rationale, while "hopes" suggests more of a desire for a positive outcome.

What does it mean when someone says they "had high expectations for" something but were disappointed?

It means they anticipated a positive result or experience, but the reality fell short of their anticipation. This implies that the actual outcome did not meet their initial hopes or beliefs.