had substantial expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had substantial expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's beliefs or hopes regarding a particular outcome or situation in the past. Example: "After reviewing the project proposal, the investors had substantial expectations for its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition the report found that "structural constraints and expectations built into academic institutions assume that faculty members have substantial support from their spouses".

Science Magazine

We have substantial debt.

The New York Times

Mr. Putin, you have substantial achievements.

The New York Times

So companies now have substantial foreign shareholders.

The Economist

All four have substantial land holdings.

The New York Times

Togo also has substantial marble deposits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Italy and Germany have substantial natural gas vehicle fleets.

The New York Times

We have substantial positions in Yahoo!

Forbes

He accepts many people have "substantial reservations ".

BBC

Civil recourse theory has substantial explanatory power.

SEP

"But it could have substantial persuasive force".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had substantial expectations" to clearly convey that someone held significant beliefs about future outcomes based on present circumstances or actions.

Common error

Avoid using "had substantial expectations" when you actually mean "desired a lot". Expectations are grounded in a belief about what is likely to happen, not just what one wishes would happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had substantial expectations" functions as a description of someone's state of mind in the past. It indicates that they believed a particular outcome was likely or highly probable. Since no examples of this phrase were found, Ludwig's AI describes it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

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Science

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had substantial expectations" is grammatically correct and describes a state of strong anticipation for a particular outcome. Although no direct examples were found, Ludwig confirms its usability. While versatile, it should be used when the expectations are based on reasoning or evidence, rather than mere desire. Alternatives such as "held significant hopes" or "harbored considerable anticipations" can provide subtle differences in meaning. The expert rating is 4.1, reflecting a balance between grammatical correctness and usage appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held significant hopes

Replaces "expectations" with "hopes" and "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the optimistic aspect of the anticipation.

harbored considerable anticipations

Uses "anticipations" instead of "expectations" and "considerable" for "substantial", adding a nuance of thoughtful consideration.

possessed high hopes

Emphasizes the intensity of the expectation by using "high hopes" instead of "substantial expectations".

anticipated significant results

Focuses on the expected outcome, replacing "expectations" with "results" and highlighting the anticipation of positive outcomes.

envisioned considerable success

Shifts the focus to a vision of success, replacing "expectations" with a more proactive and imaginative perspective.

presumed significant advancements

Introduces a level of presumption about future progress or developments.

forecasted notable achievements

Implies a formal prediction or estimation of future successes.

felt confident of considerable gains

Highlights the feeling of assurance regarding anticipated benefits or improvements.

looked forward to remarkable progress

Emphasizes anticipation and eagerness for future improvements.

counted on substantial improvements

Indicates reliance and dependence on expected positive changes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had substantial expectations" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "held significant hopes", "harbored considerable anticipations", or "anticipated noteworthy results". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

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

While similar, "had substantial expectations" implies a belief based on some evidence or reasoning, while "had high hopes" focuses more on the optimistic desire for a particular outcome, even without strong evidence.

Is it correct to say "had substantial expectations for" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "The investors had substantial expectations for the project's profitability". It clearly indicates the object of the expectations.

What are some common synonyms for "substantial" in the context of "had substantial expectations"?

Common synonyms include "significant", "considerable", "notable", and "remarkable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider if you want to highlight size, importance, or impact.