lofty expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"lofty expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It has a positive connotation to describe someone or something having high aspirations or standards. For example: "The company had lofty expectations for their new product launch, but unfortunately the results were not what they had hoped for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Juniper is growing very quickly, we believe it will fail to meet such lofty expectations for two reasons: increasing competition and slower-than-expected market growth.

Forbes

No lofty expectations.

The New Yorker

Brokers try to rein in owners' often lofty expectations.

The New York Times

Even his lofty expectations seem to have fallen.

The New York Times - Sports

Both have yet to live up to lofty expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

These payouts, Wisconsin officials said, come with lofty expectations.

The Washington Post

The veteran Rick Ankiel said Harper blended in with the team, despite some lofty expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

McWilliams's successor (and Brown's predecessor), John Mackovic, didn't live up to the program's lofty expectations either.

The New York Times

And it opens in Britain burdened with some pretty lofty expectations.

Independent

He was energetic but the game did not meet his lofty expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

One mocked the lofty expectations for Super Sunday ads with a purposely cheesy performing monkey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lofty expectations", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone and formality of your writing. This phrase is appropriate for news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "lofty expectations" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler phrases like "high hopes" or "big dreams" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lofty expectations" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "lofty" modifies the noun "expectations". It describes the nature of the expectations as being ambitious or high-reaching. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sports

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lofty expectations" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe ambitious goals or high hopes. Ludwig AI confirms this, and its extensive examples from sources like The New York Times and Forbes showcase the phrase's versatility. While appropriate for news, business, and academic contexts, it may be too formal for casual conversation. Alternatives such as "high hopes" or "great ambitions" may suit informal settings better. To effectively use this phrase, consider its connotation of ambition and ensure it aligns with your writing's tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high hopes

Focuses on the emotional aspect of expecting something positive.

great ambitions

Emphasizes the scale and scope of the desired outcome.

ambitious goals

Highlights the targets that someone is trying to achieve.

grand aspirations

Stresses the impressive nature of the desired achievements.

inflated expectations

Suggests that expectations have been artificially increased or exaggerated.

demanding standards

Focuses on the high level of performance required.

unrealistic expectations

Indicates that the expectations are not likely to be met.

exaggerated hopes

Implies that the hopes are beyond what is reasonable.

challenging targets

Highlights the difficulty of achieving the set targets.

optimistic outlook

Focuses on a positive view of the future.

FAQs

How can I use "lofty expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "lofty expectations" to describe high hopes or ambitious goals, such as: "The company had "lofty expectations" for their new product launch."

What are some alternatives to "lofty expectations"?

Alternatives include "high hopes", "great ambitions", or "ambitious goals" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "high expectations" or "lofty expectations"?

"Lofty expectations" implies a greater height or ambition than "high expectations". The choice depends on the degree of ambition or hope you want to express.

When is it appropriate to use "lofty expectations" in writing?

"Lofty expectations" is suitable for formal writing, such as news reports, business documents, and academic papers, where a more elevated and sophisticated tone is desired.