was expecting it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was expecting it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a prior anticipation of an event or outcome. Example: "I was expecting it to rain today." Alternative expressions include "anticipated it" and "foreseen it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His constituency association was expecting it and had even emailed its members to say he was going to resign.

The Guardian

"I was expecting it.

The Guardian

No one was expecting it.

The Guardian - Travel

Theresa May was expecting it.

The Guardian

I was expecting it to be mysterious; magical realism.

The New Yorker

"Nobody was expecting it this soon," one Tweed employee said.

The New York Times

I discovered a murder victim- but I was expecting it.

The Guardian - Travel

'I was expecting it to be much worse,' Sanaz admits.

The Guardian - Travel

And I said [he chuckles sadly]: "I was expecting it".

The Guardian

"I was expecting it to be crowded," Ms. Downs said.

The New York Times

I'd be a fool if I said I was expecting it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "was expecting it" and similar phrases like "anticipated it" or "foresaw it". The latter might be more suitable in formal or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "was expecting it" when you mean "am expecting it" if the anticipation is still ongoing. "Was expecting it" refers to a past anticipation, while "am expecting it" refers to a present one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was expecting it" functions as a statement expressing a prior anticipation or expectation regarding a particular event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

8%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was expecting it" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an event or outcome was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and correct usage across various contexts. It is suitable for both formal and informal communication, although synonyms like "anticipated it" or "foresaw it" might be preferred in more formal settings. Be mindful of using the correct tense to accurately reflect whether the anticipation is past or present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated it

Focuses on the act of foreseeing or predicting something.

foresaw it

Implies a clear vision or prediction of a future event.

predicted it

Highlights the act of making a specific forecast about something.

knew it was coming

Emphasizes awareness of an impending event, often implying a sense of inevitability.

had foreseen it

Similar to "foresaw it", but with a greater emphasis on the past perfect tense.

had anticipated it

Similar to "anticipated it", but with a greater emphasis on the past perfect tense.

was prepared for it

Highlights the state of readiness for something that was likely to happen.

was not surprised by it

Focuses on the lack of astonishment due to prior expectation.

had been expecting it

Adds a sense of duration to the anticipation, suggesting it lasted for some time.

was ready for it

Emphasizes a state of preparedness and acceptance.

FAQs

What does "was expecting it" mean?

It means you anticipated or predicted something before it happened, and therefore you were not surprised when it did. It conveys a sense of prior awareness.

What can I say instead of "was expecting it"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipated it", "foresaw it", or "knew it was coming" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was expecting it" formal or informal?

It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, phrases like "had anticipated it" might be preferred.

How do I use "was expecting it" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a lack of surprise at an event because you had previously anticipated it. For example, "The company's profits declined, but I "was expecting it" after the new regulations were introduced".