overwhelming expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overwhelming expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or intense anticipation or belief that something will happen or be achieved. Example: "The overwhelming expectation from the audience was that the performance would be nothing short of spectacular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And what sort of existence will the survivors have?"Kabila must come"In the capital, Kinshasa, there is an overwhelming expectation of inevitable change.

The Economist

Future market prices now suggest that the probability of a rate cut is marginally more likely than an increase – although the overwhelming expectation is for rates to be left on hold by Janet Yellen and the Federal Open Markets Committee.

Independent

"There has never seemed such a big gap between what the published polls tell us – a tight race and a hung parliament – and the overwhelming expectation of a now comfortable win for the Coalition".

The Guardian

We expect some users will take some time to adjust to it, but our overwhelming expectation is that in a short amount of time, it will feel as familiar, if not more so, as the old iOS and a lot of benefits will be understood".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When the going got uneasy, Sorenstam said, she conjured the overwhelming expectations she faced at the Colonial to give her perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Mothers deserve better than the restrictive yet overwhelming expectations they are laden with; fathers deserve better than the patronising one-dimensional image of them as cavemen unable to grapple with domestic life.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's easy to understand why Ms. Rowling wanted to try something totally different after spending a decade and a half inventing and complicating the fantasy world that Harry and company inhabited, and one can only admire her gumption in facing up to the overwhelming expectations created by the global phenomenon that was Harry Potter.

The New York Times - Books

A host of overwhelming expectations permeates all aspects of our lives.

Huffington Post

Sure, the No Doubt anthem from 1995 may have been aimed at women, but "Just A Girl" really pertains to anyone who's grappled with overwhelming expectations.

Huffington Post

Despite that notion, men living in the modern world need to understand that gender equality do not translate into overwhelming expectations imposed on women to produce extra income for the household, as well as carrying on domestic duties.

Huffington Post

She recognized the danger, however, of expectations overwhelming accomplishment.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming expectation" to emphasize a particularly strong or widely held belief about a future event or outcome. For instance, "There was an "overwhelming expectation" that the new policy would improve the economy."

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming expectation" when implying a certainty. It describes a strong belief, not an inevitable outcome. For example, instead of "Due to the "overwhelming expectation" of success, the company didn't prepare for failure", use "Despite the "overwhelming expectation" of success, the company still prepared for potential failures".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming expectation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "overwhelming" modifies the noun "expectation". It describes a particularly strong or widely held belief. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig, where it's used to describe anticipation of change or success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming expectation" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that signifies a strong and widespread belief about a future event. Ludwig AI identifies its function as a noun phrase used to convey intensity and pervasiveness of the anticipation. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. Remember to use it to express strong beliefs rather than guaranteed outcomes. Consider alternatives like "intense anticipation" or "great anticipation" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense anticipation

Replaces "overwhelming" with "intense" and "expectation" with "anticipation", focusing on the strength of the feeling.

great anticipation

Uses "great" instead of "overwhelming", implying a high degree of expectation.

strong anticipation

Substitutes "overwhelming" with "strong", highlighting the intensity of the anticipation.

intense expectancy

Replaces "expectation" with "expectancy", focusing on the state of expecting something.

high anticipation

Uses "high" to describe the level of anticipation, similar to a great expectation.

considerable anticipation

Emphasizes the amount or degree of anticipation involved.

palpable anticipation

Suggests the anticipation is so strong it can almost be felt.

pervasive anticipation

Indicates the anticipation is widespread and noticeable.

dominant anticipation

Indicates that the anticipation is the primary or most noticeable feeling.

prevailing anticipation

Highlights that anticipation is the current or most common feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "overwhelming expectation" to describe a widely held and strong belief about a future event. For example, "There was an "overwhelming expectation" that the team would win the championship."

What phrases are similar to "overwhelming expectation"?

Similar phrases include "intense anticipation", "great anticipation", or "strong anticipation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "overwhelming expectations"?

Yes, "overwhelming expectations" is grammatically correct. It refers to a multitude of strong beliefs or anticipations. For example, "The new CEO faced "overwhelming expectations" from investors and employees alike."

What's the difference between "overwhelming expectation" and "high hopes"?

"Overwhelming expectation" refers to a strong belief about a likely outcome, while "high hopes" implies a strong desire for a specific outcome, but not necessarily a belief that it will occur. "Overwhelming expectation" is more about anticipation and confidence, and "high hopes" is more about a strong wish.