we were expecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were expecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something you have been anticipating or expecting to happen, such as "We were expecting rain, but the forecast was wrong".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were expecting change.

Independent

We were expecting.

Independent

"We were expecting nothing.

The New York Times - Books

We were expecting Osama.

The New York Times

We were expecting closure.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But we were expecting that".

The New York Times

"So we were expecting this".

The New York Times

We were expecting all that stuff anyway.

The New York Times

We were expecting to live together.

Independent

"We were expecting it," she said.

The New York Times

"We were expecting skirmishes," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were expecting" to convey a sense of anticipation or prior knowledge about an event or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we are expecting" when referring to a past event that was anticipated. "We are expecting" indicates a present or future expectation, while "we were expecting" refers to a past anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were expecting" functions as a statement of prior anticipation or expectation. It is typically used to describe a past belief or anticipation of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were expecting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express past anticipation or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct for written English. Its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into various contexts, primarily within news and media, but also in business and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning, differentiating it from "we are expecting" which denotes a present or future expectation. Alternatives such as "we anticipated" or "we had foreseen" can be used to add nuance. By paying attention to these details, writers can effectively use "we were expecting" to convey precise meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated

Focuses on foreseeing something, often with a degree of preparation.

we foresaw

Highlights the ability to predict or see an event before it occurs.

we had foreseen

Emphasizes a prior understanding or expectation of an event.

we anticipated that

More formal and explicitly states the expectation.

we had anticipated

Similar to "we anticipated" but suggests the anticipation occurred earlier.

we were prepared for

Indicates readiness for something that was likely to happen.

we knew was coming

Emphasizes awareness and inevitability.

we had predicted

Suggests a formal or informal forecast of an event.

we were anticipating

Focuses on the act of anticipating, often with a sense of excitement or anxiety.

we looked forward to

Indicates a positive expectation and eagerness for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "we were expecting" in a sentence?

You can use "we were expecting" to indicate that you anticipated something in the past, such as "We were expecting a delivery this morning" or "We were expecting more people at the meeting".

What can I say instead of "we were expecting"?

You can use alternatives like "we anticipated", "we had foreseen", or "we looked forward to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are expecting" instead of "we were expecting"?

The choice between "we are expecting" and "we were expecting" depends on the time frame. "We are expecting" refers to a present or future expectation, while "we were expecting" refers to a past anticipation. For example, "We are expecting a baby" (future) versus "We were expecting him to arrive earlier" (past).

What's the difference between "we were expecting" and "we hoped for"?

"We were expecting" indicates a belief that something would happen, while "we hoped for" expresses a desire for something to happen. For example, "We were expecting a positive response" suggests anticipation, whereas "We hoped for a positive response" indicates a wish or desire.