i expected myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I expected myself" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on one's own actions or behavior, indicating that you anticipated a certain reaction or outcome from yourself. Example: "After reviewing my performance, I realized that I expected myself to do better in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I expected myself to yell, but I didn't.

The New York Times

"I expected myself to grieve a lot more for my loss of my old relationship with food, and I didn't," she said.

The New York Times - Health

I expected myself to get a big score, so to make 30 a few times and not push on was disappointing," he reflected.

BBC

"He's not been getting the results that are expected but when I came to the club I didn't get the results I expected myself at the beginning.

BBC

"This is where I expected myself to be," Maeda said.

Los Angeles Times

Because of that, I think I expected myself to get over it quicker than I did.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"My expectations are for us to come back strong and I expect myself to be a better coach.

Los Angeles Times

"I expect myself to be more prepared going into tomorrow," Woods said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I expect myself to score goals and help my team earn three points.

The New York Times

"I expect myself to be the greatest of all time right now.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't know why I was so nervous, it's a while since I played in qualifying and I expect myself to do well and go far.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I expected myself" when you want to express that you had certain hopes, beliefs, or predictions about your own behavior or performance in a particular situation. It's useful for reflecting on past actions and understanding your own expectations.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I expected myself" can sound somewhat informal or self-centered in certain formal contexts. In business reports or academic papers, consider using more objective language such as "It was expected that I would" or "I was expected to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Reflexive construction indicating self-expectation. The phrase "I expected myself" functions as a statement of personal anticipation or belief regarding one's own actions or performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, and examples show its usage in expressing anticipated behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I expected myself" is a grammatically sound way to express anticipation or a personal standard for one's actions. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon, suggesting that alternative phrasings might be more prevalent in certain contexts. Usage patterns show it appears most often in news and media, as well as academic settings. When writing, consider your audience and the overall tone, as more formal alternatives may be more appropriate in certain business or academic contexts. By reflecting on the nuances highlighted in the examples and guidance, you can confidently use "I expected myself" or choose a suitable substitute based on your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated my own actions

Replaces "expected myself" with a more direct statement of anticipation, focusing on the actions.

I foresaw my own behavior

Uses "foresaw" to emphasize a predictive aspect of the speaker's understanding of their behavior.

I predicted I would

Simple and direct replacement, focusing on the prediction of a specific action or outcome.

I assumed I would

Emphasizes an assumption made about one's future actions, rather than a firm expectation.

I imagined I would

Highlights the role of imagination in anticipating one's own actions or reactions.

I reckoned I would

An informal way of saying "I expected", implying a calculation or assessment.

I trusted myself to

Shifts the focus to self-trust and confidence in one's ability to perform an action.

I counted on myself to

Emphasizes reliance on oneself to achieve a certain outcome.

I had faith in myself to

Highlights a belief in one's own capabilities, suggesting a more emotional or aspirational element.

I presumed I would

Suggests a less certain expectation, based on a general likelihood rather than specific planning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I expected myself" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, try "It was expected that I would...", "I anticipated that I would...", or "I was expected to...". These options remove the self-referential aspect and focus on the expected outcome or action.

Is it always necessary to include "myself" after "I expected"?

No, it's not always necessary. Using "I expected to..." is often sufficient when the subject of the expectation is clear from the context. Adding "myself" emphasizes that the expectation was specifically directed at your own actions or behavior.

What's the difference between "I expected myself to" and "I hoped to"?

"I expected myself to" suggests a stronger belief or confidence in your ability to achieve something, while "I hoped to" expresses a desire or wish, without the same level of certainty. The first implies anticipation, the second aspiration.

Can I use "I anticipated myself" instead of "I expected myself"?

While "I anticipated myself" is grammatically understandable, it is less common. "I anticipated" is typically used with a direct object (e.g., "I anticipated a challenge") or an action (e.g., "I anticipated leaving early"). "I expected myself" emphasizes a personal expectation about one's own behavior.