The phrase "a widespread expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a belief or assumption that is commonly held by a large number of people.
Example: "There is a widespread expectation that the new policy will lead to significant improvements in employee satisfaction."
Alternatives: "a common belief" or "a general assumption".
This situation is made complex by a widespread expectation that science and technology are expected to be capable of curing all conditions.
The official charged with the inquiry, Britain's top civil servant, Gus O'Donnell, had been expected to submit his findings next week, and there was a widespread expectation that it would be harshly critical and force Mr. Fox out.
Say evidence showing that there was a widespread expectation that the Messiah would be crucified, or that the Jews expected a Messiah to be Resurrected before Judgment day.
Go back less than a decade and there was a widespread expectation that Mars possessed a shallow underground lake system.
The CML attributed this to a widespread expectation that interest rates will not rise in the immediate future.
Nonetheless, there is a widespread expectation that Japan's political leaders will opt to borrow more money for public spending.
That is one reason the American trade deficit has risen to record levels, and that in turn is a reason for the widespread expectation that the dollar must continue to fall.
In other words, if the church's Franklin Grahams would just keeping wailing like spoiled teenagers grounded from the Friday-night party, they might just succeed in raising a greater and more widespread expectation of the "return" and so further delay it from happening.
So, a domestic double to end a season that began with widespread expectation of dominance on the home front.
Capitalising on a wave of support from the country's largely Buddhist Sinhalese majority and widespread expectation of a post-conflict economic boom, Rajapaksa then successfully amended the constitution to allow unlimited terms and concentrated power on the office of president.
Corn futures had already climbed on widespread expectation of a weak report.
