cannot be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "cannot be expected" is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that cannot reasonably be anticipated or demanded. For example, "No one can be expected to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lee cannot be expected to wait.

The New York Times - Sports

People cannot be expected to sacrifice everything, she says.

The Guardian

Managers cannot be expected to ignore business imperatives, of course.

Harvard Business Review

Beckett, too, cannot be expected to allow too many runs.

The New York Times - Sports

Even specialists cannot be expected to know and remember everything.

The New York Times

Israel cannot be expected to grant this request.

The New York Times

And Stephen cannot be expected to give up his business.

The New York Times

He cannot be expected to shoulder the responsibility alone.

The Guardian - Sport

Doctors cannot be expected to become security experts.

The Guardian

"They cannot be expected to join in this process".

The Guardian

More cannot be expected in the short-term.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be expected", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the expecting, and what the expected outcome or behavior is. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be expected" in situations where a reasonable effort or attempt could still yield a positive result. Using it too broadly can undermine accountability and discourage proactive problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be expected" functions as a modal construction expressing a lack of reasonable expectation. It frames scenarios where anticipating a certain outcome, action, or state is unjustified or unrealistic. Ludwig provides many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be expected" is a commonly used phrase that serves to indicate the lack of reasonable expectation in various scenarios. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is versatile enough for formal and informal communication, although it appears more frequently in news, media, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the agent and the object of expectation. Alternatives such as ""should not be anticipated"" or ""is not reasonable to assume"" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not be anticipated

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than expectation.

is not reasonable to assume

Highlights the unreasonableness of a specific assumption.

should not be presumed

Emphasizes the avoidance of making unwarranted presumptions.

is unlikely to happen

Shifts the focus to the low probability of an event occurring.

is not within the realm of possibility

Indicates something is practically impossible or highly improbable.

should not be looked for

Suggests that something is not worth seeking or anticipating.

is not something one can rely on

Highlights the unreliability of a person or thing.

is not justified to think

Questions the justification for a particular thought or belief.

goes beyond what is feasible

Emphasizes that something is not practically achievable.

is not a realistic goal

Points out the lack of realism in a targeted objective.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be expected" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be expected" to indicate that something is not a reasonable or fair thing to anticipate. For instance, "A new employee "cannot be expected" to know all the company procedures on their first day".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be expected"?

Alternatives include "should not be anticipated", "is not reasonable to assume", or "should not be presumed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be expected"?

It's appropriate when stating that a certain outcome, behavior, or level of knowledge is unrealistic or unfair to demand in a given situation. It implies a lack of justification for the expectation.

What's the difference between "cannot be expected" and "should not be expected"?

"Cannot be expected" suggests something is fundamentally unreasonable or impossible to anticipate. "Should not be expected" implies it's possible, but ethically or practically inadvisable. The difference lies in the degree of feasibility and justification.