we expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing anticipation or a belief about a future event or outcome. Example: "We expected to finish the project by the end of the month, but unforeseen challenges arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We expected to do well.

The Guardian

"We expected to be here.

The New York Times - Sports

"Like we expected to win.

The New York Times - Sports

Were we expected to cube it ourselves?

The New York Times - Food

We expected to win this game".

The New York Times - Sports

We expected to win tonight".

The Guardian - Sport

"We expected to have a lull.

The New York Times

We expected to sink without trace.

The Guardian

We expected to get a victory.

The Guardian - Sport

What months are we expected to be in DC?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Are we expected to replace that child's shoes?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we expected to" when describing a prior belief or anticipation of a future event. Ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to and what the expectation was.

Common error

Avoid using "we expect to" when referring to a past expectation. "We expect to" indicates a current expectation, while "we expected to" refers to something anticipated in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we expected to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past anticipation, belief, or prediction. It is used to describe something that a group or individual thought would occur in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we expected to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express past anticipation or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is correct and that the context clearly defines the subject and the expected outcome. Alternatives like "we anticipated" or "we predicted" can add nuance, but "we expected to" remains a versatile and reliable choice for conveying past expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we predicted

Substitutes "expected" with "predicted", indicating a forecast based on evidence or reasoning.

we anticipated

Replaces "expected" with "anticipated", suggesting a slightly more formal or considered expectation.

we were counting on

Uses "were counting on" instead of "expected", conveying a sense of reliance or dependence on the outcome.

we foresaw

Uses "foresaw" instead of "expected", implying a prior awareness or prediction of the event.

it was our expectation that

Presents "expectation" in a more formal structure, suitable for professional contexts.

we had envisioned

Employs "envisioned" in place of "expected", highlighting a mental image or plan that was held beforehand.

we assumed

Replaces "expected" with "assumed", suggesting a belief taken for granted without proof.

we planned on

Replaces "expected" with "planned on", emphasizing a deliberate intention or arrangement.

we reckoned

Substitutes "expected" with "reckoned", which can imply a calculation or estimation, or a more informal expectation.

we trusted

Employs "trusted" in place of "expected", conveying a sense of confidence or belief in a positive outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "we expected to" to describe something your group or team thought would happen in the past. For example, "We expected to win the game, but we lost".

What are some alternatives to "we expected to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we anticipated", "we predicted", or "we had envisioned".

Is it correct to say "we expect to" instead of "we expected to"?

The correctness depends on the time frame. "We expect to" refers to a current expectation, while "we expected to" refers to a past expectation. Make sure to use the correct tense to accurately convey your intended meaning.

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

"We expected to" suggests a stronger belief or anticipation based on some form of evidence or reasoning. "We hoped to", on the other hand, implies a desire for something to happen, without necessarily having a strong basis for believing it would.