we expected that

USAGE SUMMARY

'we expected that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the anticipation of a certain outcome based on your expectations. For example: "We expected that the new regulations would create more complications, and sure enough they did."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It wasn't without some confusion, but we expected that".

The New York Times

"But we expected that sort of thing on the border".

The New York Times

As we expected, that didn't happen.

TechCrunch

"However we expected that decision and were prepared for it.

BBC

We expected that trees on both soils would approach E crit during drought.

Duke University

We have also stated that we expected that recovery before the turn of the year.

Forbes

We expected that big schools and small schools would look and feel different and they did.

Huffington Post

We expected that mouse passaging would eliminate the less fit (i.e., less virulent) subpopulations.

Plosone

We expected that stress will increase the retention of first personality impressions.

Plosone

We expected that signals that are located closer in the matrices are basically more similar.

Plosone

We expected that H3K4me3 is reduced in the Cfp1-/ cells.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we expected that" to clearly communicate your anticipation of a particular outcome, setting the stage for explaining whether your expectations were met.

Common error

Avoid using "we expected that" when you actually mean "we hoped that". 'Expect' implies a degree of certainty or logical prediction, while 'hope' expresses a desire for a specific outcome, even if it's uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we expected that" functions as a clause introducer, signaling a statement of anticipation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It sets the context for explaining an outcome or situation based on prior expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we expected that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce anticipated outcomes based on prior knowledge or beliefs. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common. It's crucial to differentiate it from "we hoped that", as 'expected' implies a degree of certainty, while 'hoped' conveys a desire. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure the use of "we expected that" appropriately reflects a logical prediction rather than a mere wish. Using alternatives such as "we anticipated that" or "we foresaw that" can subtly shift the emphasis based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated that

Slightly more formal, implying a degree of preparation for the expected outcome.

we foresaw that

Suggests a predictive ability or insight into future events.

we predicted that

Implies a reasoned assessment leading to an expectation.

it was our expectation that

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the expectation.

we had assumed that

Indicates a prior belief without necessarily having strong evidence.

we took it for granted that

Suggests the expectation was so strong it was almost unquestioned.

we were prepared for that

Focuses on readiness for the anticipated event rather than the anticipation itself.

we weren't surprised by that

Emphasizes the lack of surprise, implying the expectation was met.

that was to be expected

A passive construction emphasizing the inevitability of the outcome.

it was no surprise that

Highlights the lack of astonishment at the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "we expected that" in a sentence?

You can use "we expected that" to introduce an outcome that was anticipated based on prior knowledge or assumptions. For instance, "We expected that the new policy would face resistance, and we were prepared for the challenges".

What's the difference between "we expected that" and "we hoped that"?

"We expected that" suggests a prediction based on reasoning or evidence, while "we hoped that" indicates a desire for a particular outcome. We expected that the project would be successful because of thorough planning; "we hoped that" the weather would be nice for the outdoor event.

What can I say instead of "we expected that"?

Alternatives include "we anticipated that", "we foresaw that", or "we predicted that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include 'that' after "we expected"?

While grammatically correct to include 'that', it's often omitted in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, including 'that' after "we expected" is generally preferred for clarity and precision.