they expected more from you vs they were expecting more from you

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'They expected more from you' is a simple statement in the past tense, while 'They were expecting more from you' emphasizes the ongoing nature of the expectation in the past. The choice between them depends on whether you want to convey a simple past expectation or a continuous past expectation.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1074 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a simple past expectation.

"they expected more from you"

This phrase is used to state a past expectation in a straightforward manner without emphasizing the ongoing nature of the expectation.

Examples:

They expected more from you, but you didn't deliver.
I'm sorry they expected more from you.

Show examples from the web [+]

I expected more kind of ghost.
Ended much more realistic than they expected.
I expected more from you, James.
Nate, I expected more from you.
I had expected more from a prince.
You know what? I expected more of you.
I certainly expected more out of you.
I expected more of you, major.
I expected more from you, Harry.
We expected more keenness from the postmaster.
Richard, I expected more from thee.
I expected more... resistance from yöu.
I expected more from the guy.
But I had expected more from your analysis.
I expected more of a fight from you, Brewster.
I expected more fight from you.
I just expected more from her.
We expected more of him, too.
I expected more from you than schoolyard-gossip items.
Because I expected more loyalty from a man whose daughter I saved.

Alternatives:

They thought you would do better.
They had high hopes for you.
They believed in your potential.
They were counting on you to excel.
They had anticipated a better performance from you.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize an ongoing past expectation.

"they were expecting more from you"

This phrase is used when you want to highlight that the expectation was continuous or ongoing in the past, rather than a one-time event.

Examples:

They were expecting more from you all along.
I could tell they were expecting more from you.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mom, I think they were expecting something a little less formal.
Stepmother told Uniform they were expecting him back for it.
People just got the nothing big they were expecting.
I told you they were expecting this.
I think they were expecting a nominee - with a little more name recognition.
After all, they were expecting Baran.
It would be terrible if they were expecting him.
She was definitely not what they were expecting.
Said they were expecting three more.
They were expecting to be protected.
Steve Culley and Fran Redmond recently announced they were expecting.
He left her in the lurch right after they found out they were expecting.
Same time they were expecting the kidnappers to call back.
They were expecting a gun battle, but no shots were fired.
As Salome neared completion, Colin and Maybelle were overjoyed to discover they were expecting their first child.
And of course they were expecting me to be, like, wetting my pants or something.
Yes, we were expecting more.
We were expecting more substance and more proposals.
He left her in the lurch right after they found out they were expecting.
Why didn't Michelson and Morley's experiment reveal the result they were expecting?

Alternatives:

They had been anticipating a better outcome from you.
They were hopeful for a stronger performance from you.
They were looking forward to your success.
They had high expectations for you.
They were eagerly awaiting your improvement.

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they expected more from you vs they were expecting more from you