had expected
- past perfect of expect.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Economists had expected a rise of closer to 4.0%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected an increase of 2.1%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
He also found the work much more physically demanding than he had expected, with long hours on his feet and the need to remain focused throughout the day.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
One reason for that disconnect: Before the U.S.-Iran war, many investors had expected the Fed to lower interest rates this year to ensure the economy didn’t slip into a recession.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Well, that was not a thing I had expected: Oliver Archer cheering me up.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
