as they anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to expectations or predictions that were made by a group or individuals. Example: "The results of the experiment were as they anticipated, confirming their hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"The future hasn't come quite as quickly as they anticipated.

The New York Times

But the conversion process did not move as quickly as they anticipated.

The New York Times

As they anticipated Mr. Erdogan's arrival, some joked that they felt like misbehaving children awaiting their father's return.

The New York Times

The walk to the train station and the commute to work has been easy, just as they anticipated.

The New York Times

I don't think the adjustments they expected to have to make were quite as dramatic as they anticipated".

The New York Times - Sports

He does not want to leave, and the Mets may not be able to replace him as easily as they anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Their delight as they anticipate what they know is going to happen next is palpable.

The Guardian

While they wait, the Cavaliers can exhale as they anticipate their second-round matchup against Boston, which begins Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

That experience has created anxiety among many people who cross at land stations as they anticipate the next phase.

The New York Times

In the first scene the witches sing an oddly gleeful chorus, as they anticipate the return of Macbeth.

The New York Times

They know they want Corbyn out and assume this will happen; some give me quite detailed timetables as they anticipate a contest in 2017.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they anticipated" when you want to emphasize that a group's expectations or predictions came to fruition. This phrase often adds a layer of validation to their foresight.

Common error

Ensure that the "they" in "as they anticipated" clearly refers to a specific group or entity whose expectations are being discussed. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who "they" are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they anticipated" functions as an adverbial clause of manner, modifying the main clause by describing how something happened in accordance with a group's expectations. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they anticipated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial clause, indicating that events unfolded according to a group's expectations or predictions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. Its register is neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles, with a frequent usage in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to, and consider similar phrases like "as they expected" or "as they predicted" for slight variations in meaning. The phrase serves to validate foresight and highlight the accuracy of previous expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they expected

Replaces "anticipated" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

as they predicted

Substitutes "anticipated" with "predicted", emphasizing a more formal or calculated expectation.

in anticipation of

Changes the structure to a prepositional phrase, focusing on the act of anticipating rather than the outcome.

as they foresaw

Replaces "anticipated" with "foresaw", suggesting a deeper level of insight or foresight.

as they had planned

Shifts the focus to a deliberate plan or intention rather than a simple expectation.

as was expected

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the expectation itself, rather than the actors.

according to their expectations

Formalizes the expression, highlighting that events aligned with their preconceived notions.

in accordance with their predictions

Further formalizes the expression, emphasizing a deliberate prediction and subsequent alignment.

as they envisioned

Replaces "anticipated" with "envisioned", implying a more detailed mental picture of the future event.

as they presumed

Replaces "anticipated" with "presumed", carrying a connotation of making an assumption, which may or may not be accurate.

FAQs

What does "as they anticipated" mean?

The phrase "as they anticipated" means that something happened in the way a particular group or people expected or predicted it would. It implies that their expectations were met.

How can I use "as they anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "as they anticipated" to show that a group's predictions or expectations were correct. For example, "The company's profits rose, "as they anticipated", due to the new marketing campaign."

What can I say instead of "as they anticipated"?

You can use alternatives like "as they expected", "as they predicted", or "in anticipation of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as they anticipated" and "as they expected"?

While similar, "as they anticipated" might imply a slightly more thoughtful or calculated expectation than "as they expected". The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.