表示過去未曾實現的想法或打算，通常用過去完成時，但在一定的上下文當中，只要意思清楚，也可只用一般過去時。如：
I had expected to come early, but I missed the early bus. 我本來想早點來的，但未趕上早班車。
We expected him to arrive yesterday. 我們原以為他昨天就會到的。
有時在其后接不定式的完成式，如上面第一句也可改成：
I expected to have come early, but I missed the early bus.
有時用于“It+be+過去分詞+從句”結構，表示“預計……”。如：
It’s expected that the war would end soon. 預計戰爭不久即可結束。
It is expected that the report will suggest some major reforms. 預計這個報告會提出一些重大的改革。