expect that would happen vs think that would happen

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Expect that would happen' is used when you anticipate or foresee something happening, while 'think that would happen' is used when you are expressing an opinion or belief about a situation.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 110 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when you anticipate or foresee something happening.

"expect that would happen"

This phrase is used to express the anticipation or foresight of a particular event or outcome.

Examples:

I didn't expect that would happen so soon.
She expected that would happen based on previous experience.

Show examples from the web [+]

expect that would happen
What did you expect would happen?
No one could expect what would happen at the audition.
I expect that will happen again before too long.
What did you expect would happen coming here?
What did you expect would happen here, Sabine?
What did you expect would happen when you told me this?
Don't expect that to happen any time soon!
It could be interesting, a rather funny thing to see, but nobody should expect that specific situation happen again...
What did you expect would happen when you gave him a free pass?
When we moved in, the apartment hadn't been cleaned after the previous 12-month tenant, but I expect that will not happen again, assuming a reliable cleaning person is hired.
«Neither I, who would have been satisfied with having my first album published only in Norway, nor the record company could expect what would happen: "Playing My Game" selled 1,700,000 copies in the world.
I don't know what I expect to happen.
And that's what I expect to happen.
What did we expect to happen...
What do I expect to happen in the international level? .
Surely, this is not something we should expect to happen.
I received some news that, unfortunately, my uncle has lost his fight with cancer, and I didn't expect that to happen while I was on the boat.
You really expect that to happen here?
And what do you expect to happen?
I don't know if this is what he would expect to happen, it brings along a lot of romantic memories, of the old Helloween times...

Alternatives:

anticipate that would happen
foresee that would happen
predict that would happen
envision that would happen
foretell that would happen

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when expressing an opinion or belief about a situation.

"think that would happen"

This phrase is used to convey one's thoughts or beliefs about a particular event or outcome.

Examples:

I didn't think that would happen at all.
He thought that would happen because of the circumstances.

Show examples from the web [+]

think that would happen
I didn't think that would happen in week one.
Be honest, do you think that would happen today?
So why... why do you think that would happen?
So why... why do you think that would happen?
I didn't think that anything would happen to James, 'cause he's a minor.
I didn't think that anything would happen to James... 'cause he's a minor.
The college has 5,000 students and 300 faculty members. I don't think that anything would happen if I go on leave.
Ten years ago, she did not think that would ever happen.
We are striving to be that. I think that what would happen would be something quite different from what the Commission expects from us as an action plan.
I don't think that a similar tragedy would happen because of the dolphin meat.
I don't think that a similar tragedy would happen because of the dolphin meat.
Sometime, in Roth's early 20s, his signature changed, and there's only one reason I can think of why that would happen.
Never, in my life, would think that this would ever happen.
Of course, there was no reason to think that it wouldn't happen right away.
Whatever makes you think that, that would happen to you?
But when Fr. Giussani-as I told you-decided to write to the Pope and make the request to him, I began to think that perhaps it would happen after all.
Now I look at it with Max, and I think that it would not happen again, too.
I mean, I thought it was something that the doctors say might happen because they have to, But I didn't think that it would really happen.
Just the two of us. I didn't think they would let that happen.
Why would you ever think that that would ever happen?

Alternatives:

believe that would happen
assume that would happen
consider that would happen
opine that would happen
suppose that would happen

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expect that would happen vs think that would happen