That was to be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That was to be expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an outcome or situation that you anticipated or predicted would happen. Example: "After seeing the team's performance all season, I can confidently say that their loss in the finals was to be expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A roommate came with the package, but considering her means, that was to be expected.

The New York Times

The test car was a little rough around the edges, though as a preproduction prototype that was to be expected.

The New York Times

With the Sounders currently a well-balanced, cohesive, winning side that was to be expected, but what happens when changes have to be made?

The Guardian - Sport

But he added that the latest issue was something that was to be expected with new technology.

BBC

In fact, that was to be expected, because most of the borrowers would have never qualified at the very beginning of the program!

Forbes

That was to be expected.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As the new kid on the block, that is to be expected and that is to be welcomed.

HuffPost

I supose that's to be expected.

The Economist

"But that's to be expected".

The New York Times - Sports

That is to be expected, of course.

The New York Times

But perhaps that is to be expected.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "That was to be expected" to concisely express a lack of surprise regarding an outcome you or others may have anticipated. It's effective in summarizing a situation where the result aligns with prior expectations.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse of "That was to be expected" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms to maintain a professional tone, such as "It was foreseeable" or "It was anticipated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That was to be expected" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a preceding clause. It expresses a speaker's lack of surprise or prior anticipation of an event. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used to summarize or comment on a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That was to be expected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a lack of surprise or anticipation regarding an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to validate predictions and manage expectations. While generally versatile, it's advisable to use more sophisticated synonyms in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was foreseeable

Emphasizes the ability to see the outcome in advance.

It wasn't surprising

Highlights the lack of astonishment at the result.

It was predictable

Focuses on the ease of forecasting the event.

It was anticipated

Stresses the prior expectation of the event.

It came as no surprise

Indicates a complete lack of shock or amazement.

It was bound to happen

Suggests inevitability of the outcome.

It was a foregone conclusion

Highlights the certainty of the event's occurrence.

It was in the cards

Implies that the outcome was predetermined or destined.

It stood to reason

Emphasizes the logical basis for the outcome.

One could see it coming

Expresses the clear visibility or likelihood of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "That was to be expected" in a sentence?

You can use "That was to be expected" to indicate that a particular outcome or event was not surprising. For instance, "Given their consistent performance, their victory was to be expected."

What are some alternatives to "That was to be expected"?

You can use alternatives like "it was predictable", "it was anticipated", or "it came as no surprise" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "That was to be expected"?

Yes, "That was to be expected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to express a lack of surprise or anticipation of a particular outcome.

What's the difference between "That was to be expected" and "it was unavoidable"?

"That was to be expected" implies anticipation and a lack of surprise, while "it was unavoidable" suggests that the event was inevitable and impossible to prevent, regardless of anticipation.