be expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is the normal or expected course of action. For example: "Employees are expected to arrive at work on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They'll be expected to win".

Independent

Lee cannot be expected to wait.

The New York Times - Sports

Will they be expected to serve coffee?

The New York Times

Nor should they be expected to.

The New Yorker

That can be expected to continue.

The Economist

You'll be expected to participate.

The Guardian - Sport

Others will be expected to follow suit.

The Guardian

lawyer, "can hardly be expected to achieve".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They are expected to survive.

The New York Times

Both are expected to play.

The New York Times - Sports

Hardy is expected to survive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be expected to", ensure that the subject clearly identifies who is doing the expecting and who is being expected.

Common error

Avoid using "be expected to" in overly complex sentences where simpler constructions would improve clarity. Reword the sentence to directly state the expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be expected to" functions as a modal construction expressing anticipation, obligation, or likelihood. It indicates what is generally anticipated or considered normal in a given context. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be expected to" is a versatile construction used to express anticipation, obligation, or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure that the subject is clear and avoid overuse in complex sentences for better clarity. Related phrases include "be anticipated to", "be supposed to", and "be likely to", offering nuanced alternatives for different shades of meaning. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "be expected to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be anticipated to

Uses 'anticipated' instead of 'expected', implying a slightly stronger sense of foreknowledge or prediction.

be supposed to

Indicates an obligation or requirement, often with a sense of duty or prior arrangement.

be predicted to

Focuses on forecasting or projecting a future outcome, typically based on data or analysis.

be projected to

Implies a formal estimation or calculation of a future value or trend.

be likely to

Expresses a probability or high chance of something occurring.

be bound to

Suggests an inevitability or certainty about a future event.

be required to

Indicates a formal obligation or necessity, often imposed by rules or regulations.

be obligated to

Similar to 'required', but may imply a moral or ethical duty.

be inclined to

Suggests a tendency or predisposition towards a particular action or belief.

be prone to

Indicates a susceptibility or vulnerability to something, often negative.

FAQs

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

Use "be expected to" to describe anticipated actions or outcomes. For example: "Employees "are expected to" arrive on time" or "The package "is expected to" arrive tomorrow".

What are some alternatives to "be expected to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be anticipated to", "be supposed to", "be predicted to", or "be likely to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "is expected to" or "are expected to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is expected to" with singular subjects and "are expected to" with plural subjects. For example, "He is expected to attend" versus "They "are expected to" participate".

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

"Be expected to" implies a general anticipation or standard practice, while "be required to" suggests a formal obligation or rule that must be followed. The latter carries a stronger sense of necessity.