be lower than anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be lower than anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that are not meeting expectations, particularly in contexts like finance, sales, or performance metrics. Example: "The company's quarterly earnings were lower than anticipated, leading to a decline in stock prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Your available income after taxes may be lower than anticipated.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The binding capacity was found to be lower than anticipated from the design of the fibres.

Journal of Chromatography A

However, as they may suffer from strong edge effects and isolation, their value may be lower than anticipated.

Biological Conservation

China, the driver of recent global economic growth, is slowing faster than expected, meaning oil imports are likely to be lower than anticipated.

The Guardian - Business

They worry that demand for products will be lower than anticipated and that importers will reject consignments, pretending that the quality wasn't up to snuff.

Harvard Business Review

The airline said sales for 2015 and 2016 would be lower than anticipated due to the electoral delay, as well as tough market conditions and weakness in some African currencies.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

However, online delivery income was lower than anticipated.

The Guardian - Business

Renewal lease rates have also been lower than anticipated".

The New York Times

The problems are largely ones of success – carbon emissions are lower than anticipated.

The Guardian

If enrollments are lower than anticipated, the proper response is to keep at it until larger numbers are enrolled.

University of California, Berkeley

Even within this challenging market, however, Morrisons said trading was "disappointing" and Philips admitted sales were lower than anticipated.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be lower than anticipated", ensure the context clearly establishes what the initial anticipation or expectation was. This provides a clear point of reference for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "be lower than anticipated" when a simple expectation is meant. 'Anticipated' implies a degree of forecasting or prediction, not just a general hope or desire. If there was no formal anticipation, consider using "be lower than expected" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be lower than anticipated" functions as a descriptive expression used to indicate that an outcome or result did not meet the expectations set beforehand. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a proper expression to use in your writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be lower than anticipated" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe outcomes that are less than what was predicted or expected. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "be less than expected", it provides a specific nuance that implies a prior forecast or estimation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for professional, neutral, and even scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you've clearly established the basis for the initial anticipation. While most examples are from News & Media or Science sources, the phrase also sees use in Formal & Business and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of expectations

Emphasizes the failure to meet expected standards or outcomes.

not live up to expectations

Indicates that the actual performance or result did not match the anticipated level.

be less than expected

A more direct and simple way of stating that something is below the anticipated level.

be below projections

Specifically refers to financial or statistical forecasts that were not met.

underperform expectations

Highlights a failure to achieve the anticipated level of performance.

disappointing results

Focuses on the negative emotional response to results that are lower than expected.

be worse than predicted

Highlights that the actual outcome is more negative than what was initially predicted.

miss the mark

Suggests a complete failure to achieve the intended goal or target.

fail to deliver

Implies a failure to provide something that was promised or expected.

not measure up

Indicates that something does not meet the required or expected standard.

FAQs

How can I use "be lower than anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "be lower than anticipated" to describe results that did not meet prior expectations or forecasts. For example, "The company's profits were lower than anticipated due to unforeseen market changes."

What's the difference between "be lower than anticipated" and "be lower than expected"?

"Be lower than anticipated" implies a forecast or prediction was made, whereas "be lower than expected" suggests a general expectation was not met. The former is more specific and often used in formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "be lower than anticipated"?

Alternatives include "fall short of expectations", "be less than expected", or "underperform expectations", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be lower than anticipated"?

Yes, "be lower than anticipated" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English, especially in business, academic, and news contexts to describe outcomes that are less than predicted.