be lower than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be lower than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing outcomes, results, or measurements that do not meet anticipated levels. Example: "The sales figures for this quarter are disappointing as they appear to be lower than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interest payments on the debt will be lower than expected.

The Guardian

So the bill can't be lower than expected.

The New York Times

It also warned that fourth-quarter profits would be lower than expected.

The New York Times

He also said Business 2.0's advertising would be lower than expected.

The New York Times

It also said merger-related costs should be lower than expected.

The New York Times

The company warned in April that annual profit would be lower than expected.

The Guardian - Business

The company has warned that earnings will be lower than expected each quarter this year.

The New York Times

RadioShack and Tellabs both said first-quarter profits would be lower than expected.

The New York Times

The company said on Thursday that its earnings would be lower than expected in 2002.

The New York Times

AT&T warned that earnings and revenue growth for the year would be lower than expected.

The New York Times

Agilent said late last month that its coming third-quarter profit would be lower than expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be lower than expected", ensure you provide context on what was expected and why the actual result differed. This adds clarity and informs the reader about the situation's implications.

Common error

Avoid using "be lower than expected" without specifying what 'expected' means in your context. Ambiguity can confuse your audience; clearly state the initial forecast or benchmark.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be lower than expected" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that an actual outcome or measurement is less than what was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be lower than expected" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe outcomes that fall short of anticipated levels. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. For clarity, it's crucial to specify what was expected and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "fall short of expectations" and "not live up to expectations". The phrase serves to express disappointment or convey objective information regarding unmet forecasts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of expectations

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression to convey that something did not meet anticipated levels.

not live up to expectations

This phrase indicates a failure to achieve what was predicted or hoped for.

prove to be disappointing

This suggests that the actual result was less favorable than initially anticipated.

turn out to be less than anticipated

This highlights that the ultimate outcome was smaller or weaker than what was predicted.

be beneath anticipated levels

This phrase emphasizes that the actual values were below the expected threshold.

underperform expectations

This alternative focuses on the idea that something did not perform as well as predicted.

miss the mark

This is a more informal expression indicating a failure to reach the desired target or level.

be below par

This suggests that something is not up to the usual standard or expectation.

fail to meet projections

This phrase emphasizes the failure to achieve projected figures or estimates.

be smaller than predicted

This is a direct way of saying that the actual size or quantity was less than expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "be lower than expected" to describe results, profits, or figures that did not meet the anticipated or projected levels. For example, "The company's profits for this quarter will "be lower than expected" due to increased production costs."

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

Some alternatives to "be lower than expected" include "fall short of expectations", "not live up to expectations", or "prove to be disappointing", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "be lower than expected" is grammatically correct. It's a standard construction used to compare an actual outcome with a prior expectation.

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

While both phrases convey that something did not meet expectations, "be lower than expected" is typically used when discussing numerical values or quantities. "Be less than expected" is more general and can apply to both quantitative and qualitative assessments.