as we feared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we feared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a situation has turned out as anticipated, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The results of the experiment were disappointing, as we feared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Just as we feared!

The Economist

The actual deals were as bad as we feared.

The New York Times

"It was not as severe as we feared".

The New York Times

The air is not as bad as we feared.

The New York Times - Sports

Unusually though, things went as we might have wanted, rather than as we feared.

Independent

Donald Trump is as bad as we feared: delusional, dangerous, dishonest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Is it as gruesome there as we fear?

The New York Times

"Hopefully the scans show it is not as bad as we fear.

The Guardian - Sport

Losing never hurts for as long as we fear it will.

The Washington Post

If Facebook truly is as superficial as we fear, this type of post could be less popular.

University of California, Berkeley

If the ban is struck down, as we fear, elections could be swamped by special-interest money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we feared" to succinctly convey both the anticipation of a negative event and its subsequent realization, adding a layer of foreboding to your writing. Remember that the subject is plural (we), therefore this expression is not suitable in scenarios in which only one person experiences the fear.

Common error

Avoid using "as we feared" when referring to a situation where the fear arose only after the event occurred. The phrase implies a prior anticipation of a negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

As we feared functions as an introductory phrase, often acting as a conjunction to connect a prior concern with its unfortunate realization. It serves to emphasize that an anticipated negative outcome has indeed occurred. Ludwig confirms its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we feared" is a versatile phrase used to express the confirmation of an anticipated negative outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in News & Media, Business, and Academic contexts. While it carries a negative connotation, it's a concise way to convey both anticipation and realization of an unfavorable event. When writing, ensure the fear predates the event and that the subject is plural. The phrase should be avoided for highly informal contexts or when referring to fears that arose only after the event occurred. Using "as we anticipated" or "as we expected" can offer more formal or neutral alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as we anticipated

Replaces "feared" with "anticipated", maintaining a similar sense of expectation but potentially with less emotional intensity.

as we foresaw

Emphasizes the ability to see or predict the negative outcome in advance.

as we expected

A more neutral alternative, simply stating that the outcome was not surprising.

as we predicted

Highlights the accuracy of a prior prediction about the negative outcome.

as we suspected

Implies a lack of concrete evidence but a strong feeling that the outcome would be negative.

true to our concerns

Focuses on the alignment between the actual outcome and the initial worries.

confirming our worries

Highlights that initial worries or anxieties were justified by the subsequent events.

unfortunately, as expected

Adds an adverb to emphasize the negative sentiment associated with the expected outcome.

regrettably, as anticipated

Implies sorrow or disappointment alongside the expected outcome.

in line with our anxieties

More formal, suggesting that the outcome aligned with pre-existing anxieties or apprehensions.

FAQs

How can I use "as we feared" in a sentence?

Use "as we feared" to express that something negative has happened as you had anticipated. For example, "The company's profits declined sharply, "as we feared", due to the economic downturn."

What's a more formal alternative to "as we feared"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "as we anticipated", "as we foresaw", or "in line with our anxieties".

Is it always appropriate to use "as we feared"?

While grammatically correct, "as we feared" carries a negative connotation and should be used when you want to emphasize both the anticipation and the unfortunate realization of a negative outcome. Consider more neutral phrases like "as we expected" if the situation warrants a less emotionally charged statement.

What's the difference between "as we feared" and "as we suspected"?

"As we feared" implies a strong sense of apprehension and a negative expectation based on some evidence or reasoning. "As we suspected", on the other hand, suggests a weaker belief or hunch without necessarily implying a strong emotional response like fear.