expect
verb (used with object)
to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of.
have expected
-
present perfectof expect.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
If and when that ever happens, no one will have expected it.
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026
That is not something that I would have expected from him previously.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
He will have expected to be asked about Manchester City, but he didn't expect sustained scrutiny about it.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
When a young Simon Warrack took an odd job as an extra in an Italian film about Marco Polo, he hardly could have expected it to open the door to his dream job.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
When Oldenburg mischievously reported an exaggerated account of Hooke’s views to Newton, deliberately trying to stir up trouble, he succeeded better than he could have expected.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
