we have expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you had anticipated something happening. For example: "We have expected the rain to start now, so let's take an umbrella with us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The latter result is somewhat contrary to expectations as we have expected a higher stress level of dual degree students.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

Could we have expected more?

The Guardian - Sport

It was a moment we have expected ever since Sept. 11.

The New York Times

We have been clear from the outset that we have expected officers to deliver and members to fully scrutinise the proposals.

The Guardian

"Since our proposed acquisition was announced, we have expected a thorough and rigorous review of UMG's acquisition of EMI from regulators in the United States," he said.

The Guardian

"The key is to be patient, and it is easy not to be patient when you haven't had the success we have expected," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The worst we had expected.

The Guardian

We had expected to have 15 seats.

The New York Times

"We've expected it for some time".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was not something we had expected".

The New York Times

Still, we had expected better from Mr Bradshaw.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have expected" to clearly communicate that something was anticipated based on prior knowledge or experience. It's useful in both formal reports and everyday conversation.

Common error

Avoid switching between past simple and present perfect when using "we have expected". Ensure the tense remains consistent throughout the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have expected" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past expectation with present relevance. Ludwig examples show usage in various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, aligning with the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have expected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something was anticipated based on prior knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's appropriate for various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While it's versatile, considering alternative phrases like "we anticipated" or "we predicted" can refine your writing, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain consistent tense and be mindful of the subtle differences between "we have expected" and similar expressions for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated

Focuses on foreseeing or predicting something beforehand.

we foresaw

Implies a degree of prescience or ability to see into the future.

we predicted

Suggests a more formal or scientific prediction based on evidence.

we had foreseen

Emphasizes that the expectation was formed in the past and continues to be relevant.

we had anticipated

Highlights the prior planning or preparation based on the expectation.

we reckoned

Offers a more informal and colloquial alternative.

it was our expectation

Shifts the emphasis to the expectation itself rather than the act of expecting.

we assumed

Implies a belief without necessarily having strong evidence.

we presumed

Suggests an assumption based on probability or likelihood.

we looked forward to

Indicates a positive anticipation or eagerness for something to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "we have expected" to indicate that you anticipated something. For example, "We have expected the company to announce layoffs after the merger."

What's a more formal way to say "we have expected"?

A more formal alternative to "we have expected" is "we anticipated", which carries a similar meaning but sounds more sophisticated.

Is there a difference between "we have expected" and "we expected"?

"We have expected" implies that the expectation has been present for some time and may still be relevant, while "we expected" simply states a past expectation.

What are some other phrases similar to "we have expected"?

Other alternatives include "we presumed", "we assumed", or "we predicted" depending on the context and the level of certainty involved.