as could be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as could be expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened in a way that was anticipated or predictable. Example: "The project faced several delays, as could be expected given the complexity of the tasks involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ratings dropped sharply for Tuesday's show, as could be expected.

The New York Times

His parents reacted about as well as could be expected.

The New Yorker

Isner handled the events as well as could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

His first start went as well as could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

The post said that Mr. Cuomo was "resting about as comfortably as could be expected now".

The New York Times - Arts

But for a rookie in his first start, it was as well as could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

It had gone as well as could be expected, he said.

The Guardian

Richard Nixon retired (Aug. 8) with as much grace & magnaminity as could be expected.

The New Yorker

6) Except – oh dear – it's not going as well as could be expected.

The Guardian - Film

In the event the compromise went as well as could be expected.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As could be expected, there are rather few patients at this end of the spectrum.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "as could be expected" with a brief explanation for clarity, especially when the reason for the expectation might not be immediately obvious to your audience.

Common error

While "as could be expected" is widely applicable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "predictably" or "as anticipated" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as could be expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the predictability of an event or outcome. Ludwig AI provides examples where the phrase is used to express that something happened in a way that was anticipated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as could be expected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase to express predictability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers real-world examples. While versatile, it is best used in neutral to slightly formal contexts, with more sophisticated options available for academic writing. Its frequent appearance in news and scientific sources indicates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the reason for the expectation is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as was to be expected

Reorders the sentence slightly for a slightly more formal tone.

as might be anticipated

Replaces 'could' with 'might' and 'expected' with 'anticipated', slightly altering the level of formality.

as was foreseeable

Uses 'foreseeable' to emphasize the predictable nature of the event.

predictably

A single-word adverb replacing the entire phrase for brevity.

unsurprisingly

Highlights the lack of surprise associated with the event.

it comes as no surprise

Highlights the lack of surprise and the predictable nature of the outcome.

in accordance with expectations

A more formal and lengthy alternative.

it was always likely that

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the likelihood of the event.

as one would assume

Emphasizes the logical assumption leading to the event.

given the circumstances

Implies that the outcome was logical considering the present situation.

FAQs

How can I use "as could be expected" in a sentence?

Use "as could be expected" to express that a particular outcome or situation was predictable or not surprising. For instance, "The team faced several setbacks, "as could be expected", given their limited resources."

What are some alternatives to "as could be expected"?

Alternatives include "predictably", "unsurprisingly", "as anticipated", or "as was to be expected". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "as could be expected" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as could be expected" might be perceived as slightly informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "as anticipated" or "in accordance with expectations" for a more polished tone.

What does "as could be expected" imply about a situation?

It implies that, given the circumstances or prior knowledge, the outcome was not surprising and aligns with what one might reasonably anticipate. It can also suggest a degree of acceptance or resignation regarding the outcome.