in the expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the expectation" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to express the thought that something will happen in the future, often based on what has happened in the past. For example, "I went to the store in the expectation that they had the item I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They worked in the expectation of change.

The Guardian - Arts

Such surprise appears rooted in the expectation that a supposedly "medieval" organisation would use "medieval" means.

The Guardian

"Everybody has been buying these stocks in the expectation of doubling their money.

The New York Times

Israeli security forces were beefed up overnight in the expectation of violence.

The Guardian

The talk is of "haircuts": cutting losses in the expectation that the markets will get worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Malaysia, a thousand couples tied the knot in the expectation of good marital fortune.

The New Yorker

The torment is in the expectation -- of the nomination, of the award itself.

The New York Times

Essentially, the difference, I think, is in the expectation of the audience.

The New York Times

Where their jobs differ is in the expectation of how long their players can stay.

The New York Times

This has allowed it to buy lending businesses in the expectation of fat margins.

The Economist

Officials in Falluja have said they are establishing a camp in the expectation of refugees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the expectation" to clearly convey that an action is being taken or a situation is being approached with a specific anticipated outcome in mind. For example, "They invested heavily in renewable energy in the expectation of future policy changes".

Common error

Avoid using "in the expectation" when the outcome is guaranteed. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or hope, not a foregone conclusion. Consider using "knowing that" or "certain that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the expectation" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or motivation behind an action. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase suggests a planned action based on an anticipated outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the expectation" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express anticipation or hope for a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news, media, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the intended meaning conveys a reasonable level of uncertainty, distinguishing it from situations where the outcome is guaranteed. Consider alternatives like "anticipating that" or "expecting that" for subtle variations in meaning, and be mindful of the potential for misinterpreting expectation as certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the expectation

Replaces 'in' with 'with', slightly altering the nuance but retaining the core meaning.

in anticipation of

Replaces 'expectation' with 'anticipation', maintaining similar meaning but changing the noun.

expecting that

A more direct and common alternative, focusing on the act of expecting.

anticipating that

Uses a verb form to convey anticipation, differing structurally from the original prepositional phrase.

with the hope that

Emphasizes the hopeful aspect of the expectation, adding a layer of desire.

in the belief that

Focuses on the belief underlying the expectation, emphasizing the conviction aspect.

believing that

Implies a stronger conviction than simply expecting, indicating a firm belief in the outcome.

assuming that

Suggests a presumption of the outcome, potentially without concrete evidence.

on the assumption that

Replaces 'in expectation' with 'on the assumption', suggesting a logical basis for the anticipation.

counting on

Informal way to express reliance on something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "in the expectation" in a sentence?

Use "in the expectation" to show that something is done because a particular result is expected or hoped for. For example, "They launched the product in the expectation that it would quickly gain market share."

What are some alternatives to "in the expectation"?

You can use alternatives such as "anticipating that", "expecting that", or "in anticipation of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "with the expectation" instead of "in the expectation"?

Both "in the expectation" and "with the expectation" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable, although "in the expectation" is slightly more common.

What's the difference between "in the expectation" and "with the intention"?

"In the expectation" implies an anticipated outcome, while "with the intention" focuses on the purpose or goal behind an action. The former is about what is hoped will happen, while the latter is about what one aims to achieve.