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"I expected that you" vs "I expected that you are busy"

The correct phrase is "I expected that you were busy." The verb "expected" should be followed by the past tense of the verb, which in this case is "were." This construction is commonly used in English to express a past expectation.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

I expected that you

This phrase is incomplete and lacks the verb to complete the sentence. It does not convey a complete thought.

Add a verb after "you" to complete the sentence and convey the action or expectation you had.

Alternatives:

  • I expected that you were busy
  • I expected that you would be busy
  • I expected that you had other plans
  • I expected that you might not be available
  • I expected that you had a prior commitment

I expected that you are busy

This phrase is incorrect. The verb "are" should be in the past tense to match the verb "expected."

The correct form is "I expected that you were busy." Use the past tense of the verb after "expected" to match the context of past expectation.

Alternatives:

  • I expected that you were busy
  • I was expecting that you were busy
  • I thought you were busy
  • I assumed you were busy
  • I believed you were busy

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