be less than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that do not meet anticipated levels or standards. Example: "The project's final results were disappointing, as they turned out to be less than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, its adoption by industry appears to be less than expected.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

"I imagine it will be less than expected now," he said.

The Guardian - Business

By any measure, TARP's final tally will be less than expected amid the crisis.

The New York Times

"In 2014 economic growth will be less than expected just a few weeks ago," it says.

The Economist

The Countrywide Financial Corporation, a mortgage lender, said yesterday that its earnings for last year would be less than expected.

The New York Times

Shares of Electronic Data Systems tumbled 26percenttodayafterter it said second-quarter sales would be less than expected.

The New York Times

The Goldman Sachs Group, which dropped 17.4percentt, warned analysts that second-quarter earnings would be less than expected.

The New York Times

Albertson's shares fell almost 19percentt after it said third-quarter and full-year profit would be less than expected.

The New York Times

Nokia fell $1.71, to $35.28, after the cell phone maker warned that first-quarter profits would be less than expected.

The New York Times

Less than three weeks ago, Asos issued a shock warning to investors that its profits would be less than expected.

The Guardian - Business

They are worried that margins will be compressed and sales of Mac computers and iPhones will be less than expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be less than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original expectation was. This provides a necessary point of reference for understanding the degree of shortfall.

Common error

Avoid using "be less than expected" without specifying the basis for the expectation. Vague statements reduce clarity and impact. Instead of saying "profits were less than expected", specify "profits were less than expected based on last quarter's performance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less than expected" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state or condition that did not meet prior anticipations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be less than expected" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that an outcome has not met prior anticipations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is particularly prevalent in news, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly establish the basis for the original expectation to provide context and clarity. Alternatives such as ""fall short of expectations"" or ""not live up to expectations"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide context to explain the source of the expectation to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of expectations

Emphasizes a failure to meet established hopes or predictions.

not live up to expectations

Highlights a failure to achieve a certain standard or level of performance.

be smaller than anticipated

Replaces "expected" with its synonym "anticipated", offering a slightly more formal tone.

be below par

Implies a performance that is worse than the usual or average level.

be disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of dissatisfaction caused by the outcome.

not measure up

Indicates a failure to reach a required or expected standard.

be underwhelming

Suggests a lack of excitement or impressiveness in the result.

prove inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency of something to meet a particular need or expectation.

be deficient

Emphasizes a lack or shortage of something necessary.

be insufficient

Focuses on the inadequacy of something to fulfill a requirement.

FAQs

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

You can use "be less than expected" to describe outcomes that didn't meet anticipated levels. For example: "The sales figures were "be less than expected" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to saying "be less than expected"?

Alternatives include "fall short of expectations", "not live up to expectations", or "be disappointing", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be less than expected"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a discrepancy between an anticipated outcome and the actual result, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "be less than expected" and ""fall short of expectations""?

"Be less than expected" is a more direct statement about a quantity or measurement, while ""fall short of expectations"" often relates to a broader assessment of performance or achievement.