i was expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was expecting..." is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when you anticipated something to be a certain way, or had an expectation that was not realized. For example, "I was expecting a quiet dinner, but it ended up being quite chaotic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was expecting what?

The New Yorker

"I was expecting the worst".

The New York Times

I was expecting a compliment.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was expecting stronger numbers.

The New York Times

I was expecting £9.

The Guardian - Books

Not what I was expecting".

The New York Times

"I was expecting it.

The Guardian

"I was expecting this," he said calmly.

The New York Times

"I was expecting a Clevelandish ending.

The New York Times - Sports

And I was expecting a noneventful flight.

The New York Times

Not at all what I was expecting.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was expecting", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you were expecting and why. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I am expecting" when referring to a past expectation that did not materialize. Use "I was expecting" to accurately reflect that the expectation was in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was expecting" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a past anticipation or expectation. It sets up a context where the actual outcome can either align with or deviate from what was initially anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was expecting" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past anticipation or expectation. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its widespread usage, particularly in News & Media contexts, where it serves to highlight comparisons between anticipated and actual outcomes. This phrase functions declaratively, setting the stage for expressing surprise, satisfaction, or disappointment. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, its frequent presence in news sources reflects a neutral register. When using "I was expecting", ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "I anticipated" or "I assumed" to diversify your writing, but always maintain the appropriate tense to accurately reflect the timing of the expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I anticipated

Replaces the verb phrase "was expecting" with a single verb indicating anticipation.

I foresaw

Indicates a prediction or expectation about a future event.

I had anticipated

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the anticipation occurred before a specific event.

I had foreseen

Similar to "I foresaw" but with past perfect tense.

I presumed

Implies an assumption based on probability or likelihood.

I assumed

Similar to "I presumed", suggesting a belief without concrete evidence.

I took it for granted

Suggests that something was expected to happen without question.

It was my understanding

Indicates that something was expected based on prior information or agreement.

I counted on

Expresses reliance on something happening as expected.

I reckoned

An informal way of saying that something was expected or assumed.

FAQs

How can I use "I was expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "I was expecting" to express a past expectation, for example: "I was expecting a raise this year, but it didn't happen" or "I was expecting the movie to be bad, but it was actually quite good".

What can I say instead of "I was expecting"?

You can use alternatives like "I anticipated", "I foresaw", or "I assumed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am expecting" instead of "I was expecting"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "I am expecting" refers to a current expectation or anticipation, typically about the future, while "I was expecting" refers to a past expectation.

What's the difference between "I was expecting" and "I had expected"?

"I was expecting" describes a state of expectation in the past. "I had expected" (past perfect) describes an expectation that occurred before another point in the past. For example: "I was expecting rain, but the sun came out" vs. "I had expected to finish the project, but I ran out of time".