it expects not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it expects not" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
You might use it in a poetic or stylistic context, but it is generally better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "In this situation, it expects not the usual outcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It expects not just to play host to the World Cup, but to win it.

The New York Times - Sports

Converteam's senior management will retain the remaining stake in the company, but GE has agreed to purchase their shares over the next two to five years for a price that it expects not to exceed $480 million.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Even the U.S. often told Israel that it expected it not to retaliate.

Forbes

Surely it should expect condemnation, not praise.

The Guardian

Or not not… not expect it.

TechCrunch

(It is not expected to increase next year).

The New York Times - Arts

"By definition they're not expecting it to not work".

The New York Times - Magazine

It was not expected to pass.

The New York Times

It's not expected of us.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, but as expected, it was not standardized.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

It is not expected that future studies will assess specificity.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common phrasing like "it does not expect" or "it isn't expecting" for clarity and better readability.

Common error

Avoid using "it expects not" in modern writing as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Modern English generally prefers "it does not expect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it expects not" functions as a negative statement, where "it" is the subject and "expects not" negates the verb. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this word order is unusual in modern English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while technically understandable, the phrase "it expects not" is not a common or recommended construction in modern English. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it sounds awkward and should be avoided in favor of more standard alternatives like "it does not expect" or "it isn't expecting". Although examples can be found in reputable news sources, its infrequent usage suggests it should be reserved for specific stylistic purposes, if at all. For clarity and naturalness, opt for the more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it does not expect

This is a direct replacement using the auxiliary verb "does" to create a grammatically correct negative statement.

it doesn't anticipate

This uses a contraction and a synonym for "expect" to create a more colloquial alternative.

it is not expecting

This uses the present continuous tense to express the lack of expectation.

it does not anticipate

This uses a more formal synonym for "expect" and maintains the negative construction.

it anticipates not

Maintains a less standard structure and therefore similar wording as "it expects not" yet using a different verb.

it is not anticipating

Employs the present continuous form with "anticipate" to express a lack of anticipation.

it foresees not

Uses a more formal verb, "foresee", to indicate a lack of expectation about future events.

it is unprepared for

Shifts the focus to a lack of preparation rather than a lack of expectation.

it hadn't foreseen

Uses past perfect to describe failure to predict or expect something.

it did not foresee

Uses past simple to describe failure to predict or expect something.

FAQs

What is a more common way to say "it expects not"?

A more common way to express the same idea is to use the phrase "it does not expect" or "it doesn't expect". These alternatives are grammatically standard and widely understood.

Is "it expects not" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "it expects not" sounds unusual in modern English. Standard English typically uses an auxiliary verb like "does" to form negative statements, resulting in "it does not expect".

Can I use "it expects not" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "it expects not" even in formal writing, as it can sound archaic or overly stylized. Instead, use "it does not expect" or, for a more formal tone, "it does not anticipate".

What alternatives can I use instead of "it expects not" to sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "it is not expecting" or "it isn't expecting" for a more natural and contemporary sound.