could be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when predicting or expecting something to happen. For example: "It could be expected that this year's cold winter would bring heavier snowfall than usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such emotions could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Of these painters anything could be expected.

The New York Times - Arts

Ratings dropped sharply for Tuesday's show, as could be expected.

The New York Times

The numbers are better than could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

"He did everything that could be expected of him".

The New York Times

His parents reacted about as well as could be expected.

The New Yorker

He achieved more than could be expected of any man.

The Guardian

Who could be expected to care about such stuff?

The New Yorker

Who could be expected to keep track of them all?

The New York Times

Isner handled the events as well as could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

His first start went as well as could be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be expected", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis for the expectation. Specify the conditions or factors that make the expectation reasonable.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "could be expected". Use active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "Improvements could be expected", consider "We expect improvements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be expected" functions as a modal expression indicating a degree of probability or anticipation. Ludwig's examples show it's used to express that something is reasonably foreseeable given the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be expected" is a versatile expression used to convey a reasonable level of anticipation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently encountered across various professional contexts, especially in Science and News & Media. When using "could be expected", remember to provide a clear basis for the expectation and consider using active voice alternatives to prevent overuse of passive constructions. The phrase appears most often in scientific and news-related contexts and less frequently in others. Considering the alternatives, the option you choose is up to you and your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be anticipated

Changes the verb from 'expected' to 'anticipated', suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

may be foreseen

Replaces "could" with "may" and "expected" with "foreseen", indicating possibility and prediction.

can be predicted

Substitutes "could" with "can" and "expected" with "predicted", emphasizing capability and forecasting.

is likely to happen

Rephrases the expectation as a likelihood, focusing on the probability of an event.

is anticipated to occur

More formal replacement, emphasizing anticipation and the act of something happening.

is projected to take place

Uses "projected" instead of "expected", indicating a forecast or estimation.

is reasonably predictable

Focuses on the predictability aspect, suggesting a logical basis for the expectation.

one might assume

Shifts the focus to the act of assuming, implying a degree of uncertainty.

it is reasonable to assume

Adds a layer of justification to the assumption, suggesting a logical basis.

it stands to reason

Suggests that the expectation is a logical conclusion based on available information.

FAQs

How can I use "could be expected" in a sentence?

You can use "could be expected" to express an anticipation or reasonable prediction about future events or outcomes. For example, "Given the circumstances, a delay "could be expected"."

What are some alternatives to "could be expected"?

Alternatives include "might be anticipated", "is likely to happen", or "can be predicted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "could be expected" formal or informal?

"Could be expected" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and professional reports. The specific register depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "could be expected" and "should be expected"?

"Could be expected" implies a reasonable expectation based on circumstances or evidence. "Should be expected" suggests a normative expectation, indicating what is considered appropriate or required. The former is predictive, while the latter is prescriptive.