i expected that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I expected that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express an opinion or expectation that someone has that something will happen. For example: "I expected that the meeting would go longer than an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's not an excuse, but I expected that".

The New York Times - Sports

"I expected that was going to happen," Woodson said.

The New York Times - Sports

And I expected that information to be communicated.

The Washington Post

I expected that soon every warning light on the dashboard would be glowing.

The New Yorker

"Here it is: 'As I expected, that Masters man has not given up.

The Guardian - Books

"I expected that sort of performance.

BBC

But I expected that lack of fluency a little, although I wanted us to show a little more impetus".

BBC

I expected that day to leave scars that would last a lifetime.

Huffington Post

I expected that look, the one that reminds me that I ask stupid questions that don't dignify answers.

Los Angeles Times

But I expected that.

The New York Times

I expected that consent would come easily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I expected that" to clearly convey that an outcome was anticipated, based on prior knowledge or understanding. It's effective in explaining decisions or reactions in light of foreseeable events.

Common error

Avoid using "I expected that" excessively in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound less direct than stating the expectation more actively. Consider rephrasing for a more assertive tone when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I expected that" functions as an independent clause, typically used to express a speaker's prior anticipation or lack of surprise regarding a particular event or situation. It introduces a statement that aligns with their expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I expected that" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves to express anticipation or a lack of surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings, predominantly appearing in News & Media, Academic and Scientific sources. While alternatives like "I anticipated that" or "I foresaw that" can add nuance, "I expected that" remains a clear and direct way to convey that an outcome was in line with one's prior expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated that

Emphasizes foreseeing something beforehand.

I foresaw that

Suggests a more profound or insightful prediction.

I predicted that

Implies a specific forecast or estimation.

It was as I anticipated

Formal way of saying the outcome matched expectations.

That was not unexpected

Highlights a lack of surprise, often with a slightly negative connotation.

I was not surprised by that

Directly states a lack of astonishment.

I had foreseen that

Emphasizes that the anticipation occurred in the past.

That's what I thought would happen

Informal way of expressing expectation.

I reckoned as much

Informal, often British expression for expecting something.

I presumed that would be the case

Suggests an assumption based on prior knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "I expected that" in a sentence?

You can use "I expected that" to show something wasn't surprising. For example, "The stock market crashed, but "I expected that" after the CEO's announcement".

What's a formal alternative to "I expected that"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I anticipated that" or "it was as I anticipated" for a more professional tone.

Is "I expected that" the same as "I hoped that"?

No, "I expected that" indicates anticipation, while "I hoped that" expresses a desire for something to happen. They convey different sentiments about an outcome.

Can I use "I expected that" in negative contexts?

Yes, you can. For example, "The project failed, but "I expected that" given the limited resources" shows awareness of a likely negative outcome.