he expects to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he expects to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing someone's anticipation or belief about a future event or outcome. Example: "He expects to receive a promotion by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He expects to finish "Genesis" in 2012.

The New Yorker

He expects to practice on Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

He expects to hire someone by September.

The New York Times

He expects to start Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

He expects to move in sometime next month.

The New York Times

The buyer is punished for arriving late; i.e., he expects to earn less of the surplus.

Games and Economic Behavior

He expects to break even this year.

The New York Times

He expects to start construction this spring.

The New York Times

And he expects to contend in more.

The Washington Post

He expects to move in any day.

The New York Times

"He expects to win," Jeter said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "predicts" or "foresees" when the expectation is based on solid evidence or expert knowledge. These alternatives add more weight to the statement and convey a greater degree of certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "he expects to" when the situation calls for a stronger assertion. For instance, if there's substantial evidence, using words like "predicts" or "guarantees" provides a more accurate depiction of the confidence level. Don't dilute a strong prediction with a weaker verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he expects to" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or belief regarding a future action or event. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used to indicate someone's expectations based on current information or plans. This contrasts with mere hope or wishful thinking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he expects to" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile construction used to express anticipation or belief regarding a future event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to everyday conversations. While the register is generally neutral, stronger verbs like "predicts" or "foresees" might be preferable for more assertive statements. Remember, "he expects to" suggests a level of confidence based on existing information, distinguishing it from mere hope or desire. As such, understanding its nuances allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he anticipates doing

Emphasizes the expectation of performing an action.

he anticipates that

Replaces the infinitive with a 'that' clause, making it slightly more formal.

he looks forward to

Expresses a positive feeling alongside the expectation, adding enthusiasm.

he is anticipating

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing expectation.

he foresees

Implies a prediction based on insight or knowledge, making it more assertive.

he predicts

Focuses on forecasting a future event, often based on evidence or trends.

he believes will

Shifts the focus to his belief about a future outcome.

he assumes that

Suggests taking something for granted without concrete proof.

he trusts that

Implies a reliance on something or someone to deliver a certain outcome.

he envisions

Paints a mental picture of a future scenario, making it more imaginative.

FAQs

How can I use "he expects to" in a sentence?

The phrase "he expects to" is used to express someone's anticipation or belief about a future event. For example, "He expects to finish the project by Friday" indicates his anticipation of completing the project by that time.

What are some alternatives to "he expects to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he anticipates that", "he predicts", or "he foresees".

Is it correct to say "he expects that" instead of "he expects to"?

While "he expects to" is more common, "he expects that" is also grammatically correct but requires a full clause following "that". For example, "He expects that the meeting will be productive" is correct, while "He expects that go" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "he expects to" and "he hopes to"?

"He expects to" indicates an anticipation based on some level of assurance or evidence, whereas "he hopes to" implies a desire for something to happen without necessarily having a strong basis for believing it will. Thus, "he hopes to" pass the exam suggests a wish, while "he expects to pass the exam" implies a higher level of confidence.