my expectation was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my expectation was" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce or explain one's personal belief or prediction about a situation. Here is an example sentence: "My expectation was that the project would be completed by the end of the week, but it ended up taking much longer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"My expectation was just to win games".

The New York Times - Sports

My expectation was that they would execute better".

The New York Times

My expectation was a few difficult months, a lot of failed applications, but eventual success.

The Guardian

My expectation was, and is, that it will deliver the same returns".

The New York Times

"My expectation was that I was definitely playing tomorrow," Camby said.

The New York Times - Sports

"My expectation was to get gold," she said, "beautiful, everlasting gold".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

My expectation is that we will not".

The New York Times - Health

My expectation is that it will prove to be unsustainable".

The Guardian

"My expectation is that they will do the right thing".

The New York Times

"My expectation is that they will come into compliance".

The New York Times

"My expectation is gold and nothing less," Siler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my expectation was" to clearly state your prior beliefs or anticipations, especially when contrasting them with the actual outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "my expectation was" when you really mean "my hope was" or "my wish was". "Expectation" implies a belief about what would happen, while "hope" and "wish" express a desire for something to happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my expectation was" functions as a clause opener or sentence starter to introduce a statement about a past anticipation or belief. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my expectation was" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past belief or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, use this phrase to clearly state your previous beliefs, especially when highlighting a contrast with the actual outcome. Be mindful not to confuse "expectation" with "desire". For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it was my understanding". Overall, mastering the use of this phrase can add precision and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was expecting

Focuses on the act of expecting something, rather than the specific content of the expectation.

i had anticipated

Emphasizes a prior feeling or belief about something; slightly more formal.

it was my understanding

Emphasizes that the belief was based on information received, potentially from an external source.

i had assumed

Highlights an assumption made without concrete evidence; implies a potential error in judgment.

i was under the impression

Suggests a belief based on incomplete or misleading information; slightly less direct.

i believed

Directly states a past belief, without necessarily implying an expectation about a specific outcome.

i thought

Similar to "i believed" but can also indicate a less firm conviction or a casual assumption.

i envisioned

Implies a mental image or scenario that was anticipated; more descriptive and imaginative.

i foresaw

Suggests a prediction or insight into future events, often with a sense of certainty.

i had reckoned

Implies a calculation or estimation that led to a particular belief or expectation; somewhat archaic.

FAQs

How can I use "my expectation was" in a sentence?

Use "my expectation was" to introduce a belief or prediction you held previously, often followed by a contrasting reality. For example, "My expectation was that the meeting would be short, but it lasted for three hours".

What's a more formal way to say "my expectation was"?

For a more formal tone, consider "it was my understanding" or "i had anticipated". These options lend a more professional or academic feel to your writing.

Is it correct to say "my expectation is" instead of "my expectation was"?

Yes, "my expectation is" is correct when referring to a current belief or anticipation. "My expectation was" refers to a belief held in the past, while "my expectation is" refers to a belief held now.

What's the difference between "my expectation was" and "I assumed"?

"My expectation was" suggests a reasoned anticipation, while "I assumed" implies a belief formed without much evidence or thought. The former is often used when the outcome differs from what was predicted, and the latter highlights a potentially incorrect assumption.