I expected that vs I might've known

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

I expected that

Top 2,000 (common)

I might've known

Informal Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Most formal: I expected that Most common: I expected that

	I expected that	I might've known
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //aɪ ɪkˈspɛktəd ðæt// 🇺🇸 //aɪ ɪkˈspɛktəd ðæt//	🇬🇧 //aɪ maɪt əv noʊn// 🇺🇸 //aɪ maɪt əv noʊn//
Meaning	I thought something would happen.	I should have guessed or realized something.
Example	I expected that the meeting would start on time.	When she mentioned her new job, I might've known she was leaving us.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Collocations	expected that night, expected that situation, expected that outcome	I might've known better, I might've known it all along, I might've known that would happen
Common mistakes	Incorrectly using 'expect' without 'that' when a clause follows., Using incorrect tenses after 'expected that'., Confusing 'expected that' with 'hoped that'.	Using it too formally instead of an informal context., Misplacing 'might've' with other modal phrases like 'should've'.
Usage notes	Use in statements about what you thought would occur. Suitable for everyday conversations and writing but avoid in very formal contexts.	Used when someone realizes something after it has happened, often with a tone of regret. More common in spoken English.

See it in real clips

Well, I expected that. You know what we're dealing with.

House Of Cards › S1 E1

I expected that. That doesn't worry me.

Well, I expected that. You know what we're dealing with.

House Of Cards › S1 E1

I expected that. That doesn't worry me.

I expected that

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

I might've known.

I might've known

Frequently asked questions: I expected that vs I might've known

What's the difference between I expected that and I might've known?

I expected that: I thought something would happen. I might've known: I should have guessed or realized something.

Which is more formal: I expected that and I might've known?

I expected that is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: I expected that and I might've known?

I expected that is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

I expected that: I expected that the meeting would start on time. I might've known: When she mentioned her new job, I might've known she was leaving us.

Can I use I expected that and I might've known interchangeably?

Not always. I expected that and I might've known are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.