he has expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has expected" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "he has been expecting" or "he expected." Example: "He has been expecting a call from his friend all day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He has expected the official vote in the House to follow the caucus vote by a few days; actually it followed by only one day.

The New Yorker

Perhaps, deep down, he has expected for some while that his players, shorn of their teammates and seemingly ambushed on all sides, might abandon hope.

The New York Times - Sports

He has expected such significant and pleasant changes several times before only to be disappointed — and to disappoint the Mets, who steadfastly believe that his struggles are normal for a developing starter.

The New York Times - Sports

He has given large sums of money to L.A. arts institutions — about a hundred and forty million dollars in the past thirty years — but in return he has expected a degree of fealty that many in the art world find unseemly.

The New Yorker

Giavotella has rarely done what he has expected.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He had expected to play.

The New York Times - Sports

He had expected to feel relief.

The New York Times - Sports

But he had expected Baby Mya.

The New York Times

But he had expected that.

The Guardian - Sport

He had expected there would be.

The New York Times

It hurt more than he had expected.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "he had expected" or "he has been expecting" for grammatically correct alternatives. These forms align with standard English usage and provide clarity in expressing past expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "he has expected" in formal writing. This construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for "he had expected" or "he has been expecting" to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has expected" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to express a completed action in the present perfect tense. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The more appropriate forms are "he had expected" or "he has been expecting".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "he has expected" appears in some publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, the proper alternatives are "he had expected" or "he has been expecting", depending on the intended meaning and context. It's crucial to choose the correct tense to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing. When aiming for formal or professional communication, avoid this construction altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had expected

Uses the past perfect tense to describe an expectation held in the past.

he has been expecting

Uses the present perfect continuous tense to describe an expectation that started in the past and continues to the present.

he anticipated

Employs a simpler verb to convey the idea of expecting something.

he foresaw

Indicates a prediction or expectation of a future event.

he predicted

Expresses a belief that something will happen in the future.

he looked forward to

Indicates a positive anticipation of something.

he awaited

A more formal way of saying he waited for something with anticipation.

he contemplated

Focuses on considering or thinking about something, implying a degree of expectation.

he envisioned

Describes forming a mental image or expectation of something.

he presumed

Suggests an assumption or expectation based on probability.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "he has expected"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "he had expected", using the past perfect, or "he has been expecting", using the present perfect continuous. These options ensure accurate tense usage.

When should I use "he had expected" instead of "he has been expecting"?

"He had expected" indicates an expectation held and completed in the past, while "he has been expecting" suggests an ongoing expectation from the past to the present. Choose based on the intended time frame.

What can I say instead of "he has expected" in a formal context?

In formal writing, use alternatives like "he anticipated" or "he foresaw". These options provide clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "he has expected" ever considered acceptable?

While occasionally found in informal contexts, "he has expected" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid this phrasing in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility.