are only expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are only expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a limited set of expectations or responsibilities assigned to someone or something. Example: "Employees are only expected to complete their assigned tasks by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The vacancies are only expected to grow.

The New York Times

Broader collaboration is needed to fix the data deficits that are only expected to get worse.

Cornell University

The tax cuts are only expected to ramp up growth for this year and next.

The Washington Post

Act fast, as fares are only expected to rise as the Games near.

The New York Times - Travel

Many of Afghanistan's wealthy are already beneficiaries, and these upper-class industries and ties are only expected to grow.

The New York Times

As the costs of private health care continue to climb, their numbers are only expected to grow.

The New York Times

Nearly every city in India faces waste management challenges that are only expected to grow along with rising population and affluence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Green sources are only expected to provide 28% of electricity generation by 2021, up from 23% in 2015, and much of that will be from existing hydropower dams.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Rubio was only expected to win 17 per cent.

Independent

That trend is only expected to intensify.

The New York Times

And the trucking market is only expected to grow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are only expected to" to clearly define the limits of responsibility or anticipated outcomes, avoiding ambiguity in expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "are only expected to" when a stronger obligation or certainty is implied; use alternatives like "must" or "will" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are only expected to" functions as a modal construction used to express expectation, obligation, or likelihood with a degree of limitation. It indicates what is anticipated or required, but with an emphasis on the restrictive nature of the expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are only expected to" is a versatile construct used to express limited expectations or obligations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. It serves to set boundaries and manage expectations, and while it appears in both formal and informal contexts, its tone remains largely neutral. Understanding its function and purpose, along with recognizing common errors like overstatement, can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are merely required to

Focuses on the basic requirements rather than expectations.

are just anticipated to

Emphasizes anticipation with a sense of informality.

are simply supposed to

Highlights a simple obligation or plan.

are just presumed to

Suggests a presumption or assumption.

are solely anticipated to

Emphasizes that something is anticipated exclusively.

are uniquely anticipated to

Highlights a special or unique anticipation.

are particularly anticipated to

Indicates a specific or noteworthy anticipation.

are normally predicted to

Highlights a normal prediction or forecast.

are routinely believed to

Emphasizes a common belief or routine expectation.

are widely thought to

Focuses on a widespread belief or perception.

FAQs

How to use "are only expected to" in a sentence?

Use "are only expected to" to describe the limited scope of someone's duties or anticipated results, such as "Students "are only expected to" complete the first five chapters for this week's assignment".

What can I say instead of "are only expected to"?

You can use alternatives like "are merely required to", "are just anticipated to", or "are simply supposed to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are only expected to" or "are expected to only"?

"Are only expected to" is generally preferred because it more clearly emphasizes the limited nature of the expectation. "Are expected to only" can sometimes sound awkward or less precise.

What's the difference between "are only expected to" and "are required to"?

"Are only expected to" implies a level of anticipation or prediction, while "are required to" suggests a firm obligation or rule. The former is less forceful than the latter.