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Common collocations with expectation in American Collocation

expectation noun

US /ˌekspekˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

not reasonable

exaggerated
false
unreal
unrealistic
unreasonable

We want the company to provide the service we are paying for; this is not an unreasonable expectation.

reasonable

legitimate
rational
realistic
reasonable

Were customers’ expectations realistic in relation to quality and value for money?

expecting things to be good

high
optimistic
sanguine

Today’s young Scots have high expectations of college courses.

When customers have too many expectations, they are inevitably disappointed.

expecting things to be bad

low

Only people with low expectations will find this show entertaining.

We pay a higher price in the expectation of better service.

be better than people expected

exceed
outperform
outstrip
surpass

The public’s response to the music outstripped the band’s initial expectations.

be worse than people expected

dampen
dash
disappoint
fall below
fall short of

Their supporters’ high expectations were dashed.

be different to what people expected

confound
contradict
defy
shatter
subvert

Short films work best when they subvert audience expectations.

be the way people expected it to be

come up to
fulfil
live up to
match
meet
satisfy

The Council strives to meet the expectations and aspirations of the community in delivering top-quality services.

It was the right decision and was wholly in line with people’s expectations.

have expectations

have
hold

The two groups have completely different expectations.

Now teachers have the expectation that girls will achieve higher examination grades.