be expected to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be expected to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing anticipated actions or behaviors that someone or something should fulfill in the future. Example: "Employees are expected to be punctual and meet deadlines consistently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adolescent medicine might be expected to be booming.

The New York Times - Health

But can machines be expected to be fully empathetic?

The Guardian

And we will be expected to be exceptionally graceful mourners.

The New Yorker

This book might be expected to be a big player.

The Guardian - Books

Capital cannot be expected to be self-policing.

The New York Times

"Wouldn't a woman president be expected to be more responsive to women's rights?

The New York Times

Now that you're in academia full time, you'll be expected to be more prolific.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thus the chief impact might be expected to be the visual and aural execution.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm depressed the way a slug-ridden cabbage might be expected to be," he wrote.

The New York Times - Books

Temperatures can be expected to be in the low 20s," she said.

The Guardian

Such interruptions could doom the relatively few who could be expected to be alive under debris.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be expected to be" when indicating a reasonable anticipation based on current conditions or established norms. For instance, "Temperatures can "be expected to be" in the low 20s".

Common error

While versatile, "be expected to be" can sometimes sound passive or less direct. In formal writing, consider stronger verbs or more specific phrasing for clarity. For example, instead of "The results "be expected to be" positive", try "The results are anticipated to be positive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be expected to be" functions as a modal construction indicating anticipation, probability, or obligation. It suggests that something is likely to occur or that a certain condition is foreseen based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be expected to be" is a versatile phrase used to express reasonable anticipation or probability. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and scientific contexts. While adaptable to different registers, it leans toward neutrality and formality. Alternatives like "should be" or "is likely to be" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Use "be expected to be" to express predictions based on current knowledge, while being mindful of potential passive voice and the appropriateness of more direct phrasing in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be

Indicates a recommendation or expectation, often with a slightly weaker sense of obligation.

is anticipated to be

Emphasizes the anticipation or prediction of a future state or event, often based on evidence or trends.

is predicted to be

Focuses on forecasting based on data or models, suggesting a high degree of certainty.

is likely to be

Indicates a high probability of a future event or state, without necessarily implying an obligation.

is projected to be

Suggests a forecast or estimate, often based on current trends or data projections.

is supposed to be

Implies an expectation based on a rule, agreement, or plan, often with a slightly informal tone.

can be anticipated as

This alternative expresses an action or situation being awaited, typically due to a high probability or likelihood of occurring.

could be considered as

Indicates a potential viewpoint or classification of an action or situation.

may be deemed as

Signifies a formal judgment or assessment of an action or situation, with implications of value or importance.

is considered as

This denotes acceptance or recognition of an action or situation, implying it meets specific criteria or status.

FAQs

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

You can replace "be expected to be" with alternatives such as "is likely to be", "is anticipated to be", or "should be" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "be expected to be" and "be predicted to be"?

"Be expected to be" implies a general anticipation based on norms or current conditions, while "be predicted to be" suggests a forecast based on specific data or models. The latter carries a stronger sense of certainty.

Is "be expected to be" formal or informal?

"Be expected to be" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's important to consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal situations, more direct and active phrasing might be preferred.

How to avoid passive voice when using "be expected to be"?

To avoid passive voice, reframe the sentence to emphasize the actor or cause leading to the expectation. For example, instead of "The changes can "be expected to be" closely tied to emissions", try "Emissions are expected to closely tie to the changes".