CEFR B1
expectations
noun
Meaning
Strong beliefs about what will happen in the future.
Examples
- Her expectations were that the job would be easy, but it turned out to be very difficult.
- The company's expectations for quarterly profits were not met.
Synonyms: hopes, anticipation, prospects, foresight
Phrases for expectations
Natural phrases and collocations with expectations. See examples, avoid awkward combinations, and learn how to use expectations in context. Strong beliefs about what will happen in the future.
Common patterns
Use these patterns to build complete sentences, not just isolated word combinations.
- expectations of (prepositional phrase): Beliefs about what will happen concerning a specific person, group, or thing.
The expectations of the investors were that the company would grow rapidly.
- expectations for (prepositional phrase): Beliefs about what will happen in relation to a specific situation or event.
The expectations for the new policy were that it would improve efficiency.
Natural collocations
These combinations are useful as ready-made chunks. The examples show how each one works in context.
- high expectations
She had high expectations for her first year of college.
- meet expectations
The product's performance did not meet customer expectations.
- exceed expectations
The team exceeded all expectations with their championship win.
- lower expectations
It's wise to lower your expectations when traveling during peak season.