was not expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express surprise or an unexpected outcome in a situation. Example: "When I walked into the surprise party, I was not expecting to see all my friends gathered there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She was not expecting any company.

The New Yorker

That I was not expecting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was not expecting it".

The New York Times

He was not expecting this.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he was not expecting retribution.

The New York Times

"She clearly was not expecting this call.

The New York Times - Sports

I was not expecting it to be a mailto link.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

That was not expected.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was not expected to live.

The New York Times

And that was not expected".

Forbes

This was not expected.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not expecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject anticipated or believed beforehand. This provides a stronger contrast and emphasizes the surprise element.

Common error

Avoid using "was not expecting" when a simple statement of fact is more appropriate. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not expecting" functions as a declarative expression used to convey surprise, a lack of anticipation, or an unexpected outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not expecting" is a common and grammatically sound way to express surprise or a lack of anticipation, according to Ludwig AI. It's prevalent in news and media, and other contexts as well, with authoritative sources using it frequently. Remember to use it when you want to effectively convey that something occurred contrary to your prior beliefs or expectations, and consider alternatives such as "didn't anticipate" or "was taken by surprise" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it came as a surprise

Highlights the unexpected arrival or occurrence of something, emphasizing its startling nature.

was taken by surprise

Focuses on the feeling of being caught off guard, emphasizing the unexpected nature of an event.

didn't anticipate

Focuses on a lack of foreseeing something, suggesting a failure to predict an event or outcome.

had no expectation of

Emphasizes the absence of any prior belief or anticipation regarding a particular event or outcome.

was unprepared for

Highlights the state of not being ready or equipped for something, indicating a lack of readiness.

didn't foresee

Highlights the inability to see or predict something in advance, often implying a degree of oversight.

never imagined

Emphasizes the complete absence of a particular thought or possibility from one's mind.

was astonished by

Emphasizes the feeling of great surprise and wonder, suggesting a significant emotional impact.

was shocked to see

Conveys a strong feeling of surprise and disbelief, suggesting a startling or upsetting revelation.

had no inkling

Emphasizes a complete lack of awareness or suspicion, suggesting a total absence of prior knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "was not expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "was not expecting" to express surprise or a lack of anticipation. For example: "I "was not expecting" such a large crowd at the event."

What are some alternatives to "was not expecting"?

Alternatives include "didn't anticipate", "was taken by surprise", or "didn't foresee". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I didn't expect" instead of "I was not expecting"?

Yes, "I didn't expect" is a perfectly acceptable and often more concise alternative to "I "was not expecting"". Both convey the same basic meaning.

What's the difference between "I didn't expect" and "I shouldn't have expected"?

"I didn't expect" simply means you didn't anticipate something. "I shouldn't have expected", on the other hand, implies that you now realize it was unrealistic or unwise to have anticipated it in the first place.