be weaker than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be weaker than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that do not meet anticipated strength or effectiveness. Example: "The team's performance in the last match seemed to be weaker than expected, leading to their unexpected loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"In this environment, euro area inflation dynamics also continue to be weaker than expected.

The Guardian - Business

The company warned four weeks ago that its earnings would be weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Several analysts said yesterday that they were surprised that Lucent's earnings would be weaker than expected.

The New York Times

But the Commerce Department said that construction spending in May turned out to be weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Large-scale flows are dominated by vortical motions1 and appear to be weaker than expected in the solar interior2.

Nature

The danger is not that Britain will lurch into recession, rather that recovery will be weaker than expected.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

That's weaker than expected.

The Guardian - Business

Nor did money supply data that were weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Tiffany said holiday sales were weaker than expected.

The New York Times

The latest housing data, however, was weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Weekly jobs data released on Thursday was weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be weaker than expected", ensure you provide context for why the outcome was weaker. This adds clarity and informs the reader about the underlying factors.

Common error

Avoid using "be weaker than expected" as a generic statement without specifying what specifically is underperforming. Always provide specifics to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be weaker than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, often modifying nouns related to performance, results, or expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and common in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be weaker than expected" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that an outcome, result, or performance has not met anticipated levels. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using the phrase, providing context and specific details enhances clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "fall short of expectations" or "underperform projections" can be used for variety. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for professional and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall short of expectations

Indicates a failure to meet anticipated outcomes or standards.

underperform projections

Specifically refers to not achieving forecasted or predicted levels of performance.

prove less robust than anticipated

Highlights a lack of strength or resilience compared to what was foreseen.

not live up to the hype

Suggests that the actual outcome is less impressive than the pre-event publicity or excitement.

turn out to be less effective

Emphasizes a deficiency in the effectiveness of something compared to what was hoped.

fail to deliver the anticipated results

Focuses on the non-achievement of expected outcomes or deliverables.

be below par

Indicates performance that is substandard or not up to the usual level.

not measure up

Implies a failure to meet a required standard or level of quality.

disappoint expectations

Highlights the feeling of disappointment resulting from unmet expectations.

prove to be underwhelming

Suggests that something is less impressive or exciting than expected.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "weaker than expected"?

When something is described as "weaker than expected", it means its performance, result, or impact is less potent or effective than what was anticipated or predicted.

How can I use "be weaker than expected" in a sentence about economic growth?

You might say, "If growth turns out to "be weaker than expected", a reduction in stimulus efforts could be put off."

What are some alternatives to "be weaker than expected" in a business context?

In a business context, you can use alternatives like "fall short of expectations", "underperform projections", or "fail to deliver the anticipated results".

Is it grammatically correct to say something "was weaker than expected"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The past tense "was weaker than expected" indicates that something's performance or outcome was less strong or effective than previously anticipated.