as widely expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as widely expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred in a manner that many people anticipated or predicted. Example: "The company's profits increased this quarter, as widely expected by analysts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

As widely expected, Labour lost all its remaining shire councils: Staffordshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and ­Derbyshire.

The Guardian - Opinion

This week, as widely expected, it raised interest rates by a quarter-point.

The Economist

As widely expected, former President George W. Bush, like many past occupants of the Oval Office, is writing a book.

The New York Times

As widely expected, the court's hearing was eventually postponed until November 3, so the suspense will only grow.

The Guardian - Opinion

As widely expected, the bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a range of zero to 0.1 percent.

The New York Times

As widely expected, Mr. Obama's request will seek to extend the life of the space station five years, to 2020.

The New York Times - Science

As widely expected, Osborne also pledged to limit rises in business rates to 2% and extended the small business rate relief scheme for one year beyond 2014.

The Guardian - Business

If, as widely expected, the bill passes through the upper house next week, the law will come into force at the start of 2005.

The New York Times

As widely expected, the European Central Bank held its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.5percentt despite faltering growth in the 12-nation euro single-currency zone.

The New York Times

As widely expected, on May 7th the Constitutional Court forced Yingluck Shinawatra, and nine of her cabinet colleagues, to stand down for abuse of power.

The Economist

AS WIDELY expected, on June 22nd, Moody's cut the ratings of 15 global banks, including five of America's largest financial institutions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as widely expected", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the expectation. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "as widely expected" when the outcome is self-evident. It can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful. Instead, use it when confirming expectations that could have reasonably gone either way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as widely expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that an event or outcome occurred in a manner consistent with general anticipation. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as widely expected" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote that an event transpired in line with popular anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and business contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the group holding the expectation when needed, and avoid overuse in self-evident situations. Alternatives like "unsurprisingly" or "predictably" can offer more concise options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as generally anticipated

Emphasizes the broad agreement or prediction surrounding an event.

as commonly foreseen

Highlights the predictability of the event based on typical knowledge or foresight.

predictably

A concise adverb indicating the event was easy to predict.

unsurprisingly

Highlights the lack of surprise associated with the event.

as anticipated by most

Focuses on the majority's expectation of the event.

in line with expectations

Indicates the event aligned with previously set or understood expectations.

as was to be expected

Suggests the event was almost inevitable given the circumstances.

according to expectations

Highlights adherence to a standard or predicted outcome.

as foretold

Implies a more formal or prophetic level of prediction.

as everyone thought

Emphasizes the universal belief that the event would occur.

FAQs

How can I use "as widely expected" in a sentence?

Use "as widely expected" to introduce an event that aligns with common predictions or anticipations. For example, "As widely expected, the company announced record profits this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "as widely expected"?

Alternatives include "unsurprisingly", "predictably", or "in line with expectations". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it always necessary to specify who widely expected something when using "as widely expected"?

While not always strictly necessary, specifying who held the expectation can add clarity and strengthen your statement. If the context doesn't make it obvious, consider adding a qualifier like "as widely expected by analysts" or "as widely expected among investors".

What's the difference between "as widely expected" and "as anticipated"?

"As widely expected" implies a broad consensus of expectation, while "as anticipated" simply indicates that something occurred as foreseen. The former emphasizes the shared nature of the expectation.