be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"be expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is commonly accepted or anticipated. For example, "A warm welcome should be expected at the party tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be expected, right?

The New York Times

This can be expected".

The New York Times

That might be expected.

Independent

They can be expected.

The New Yorker

"This must be expected".

The New York Times - Sports

All to be expected.

The Economist

"But it's to be expected.

The New York Times

It was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Rival bids can be expected.

The Economist

"But that's to be expected".

The New York Times - Sports

So rows should be expected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be expected" to convey that something is typical, predictable, or required in a given situation. For example, "Delays can be expected during peak travel times."

Common error

Avoid using "expect" actively when a passive construction is more appropriate. Instead of saying "We expect delays", consider "Delays are to "be expected"", which sounds more objective and less like a direct claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be expected" functions as a passive construction. It is typically used to indicate that something is anticipated, likely, or considered a normal or predictable occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in its database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be expected" is a versatile and frequently used passive construction indicating that something is anticipated or likely to occur. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. While alternatives like ""be anticipated"" or ""be foreseen"" exist, "be expected" offers a neutral tone suitable for most situations. Remember to use the passive voice to avoid direct claims and maintain objectivity. Avoid the common mistake of trying to use the active form of expect. The phrase is a useful and common way to moderate expression in communication, and to signal a degree of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be anticipated

This alternative focuses more on foreseeing or predicting something before it happens.

be predicted

This phrase implies a more formal or scientific basis for the expectation, often involving data or analysis.

be foreseen

This suggests a clear view or understanding of something coming in the future.

be anticipated to

This emphasizes the prediction or anticipation of a future action or event.

be bound to happen

This suggests inevitability or a very high probability of something occurring.

be likely to occur

This is a more formal way of saying something is probable.

be probable

This alternative directly states the probability of an event.

be in the cards

This idiom suggests that an event is destined or predetermined to happen.

can be foreseen

This emphasizes the ability to see or predict something in advance.

may be anticipated

This suggests a possibility or likelihood, but with a degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

Use "be expected" to indicate that something is likely to happen or is considered normal in a particular context. For example, "A prompt response is to "be expected" from our customer service team."

What are some alternative phrases for "be expected"?

Alternatives include "be anticipated", "be foreseen", or "be predicted", each carrying slightly different nuances of predictability or likelihood.

Is it better to say "is expected" or "can be expected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "can "be expected"" suggests a possibility, while "is expected" implies a higher degree of certainty or obligation. For example, "Rain is expected tomorrow" suggests a forecast, while "Respect can "be expected"" suggests a standard of behavior.

What's the difference between "be expected" and "be required"?

"Be expected" indicates a likelihood or anticipation based on past experience or understanding, while "be required" indicates a necessity or obligation. You might say "Patience is to "be expected" during the renovation", whereas "Full payment will "be expected" on delivery of the product" signals an obligation.