表示过去未曾实现的想法或打算，通常用过去完成时，但在一定的上下文当中，只要意思清楚，也可只用一般过去时。如：
I had expected to come early, but I missed the early bus. 我本来想早点来的，但未赶上早班车。
We expected him to arrive yesterday. 我们原以为他昨天就会到的。
有时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.
有时用于“It+be+过去分词+从句”结构，表示“预计……”。如：
It’s expected that the war would end soon. 预计战争不久即可结束。
It is expected that the report will suggest some major reforms. 预计这个报告会提出一些重大的改革。