could be expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

"could be expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are predicting what will happen in the future. For example: "Given that typhoons usually hit the region in August, we could be expected to experience heavy rains this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who could be expected to care about such stuff?

The New Yorker

Delrahim could be expected to weigh in on those issues.

The Washington Post

Strawberry's chemotherapy could be expected to begin in November.

The New York Times - Sports

Who could be expected to keep track of them all?

The New York Times

Traditionally, those entering into conflict could be expected to uphold these laws.

Stanford University

A borrower could be expected to save £193 a year in charges, the regulator said.

The Guardian - Business

But he added that stocks could be expected to remain unsettled until a winner was declared.

The New York Times

Opposition to a foreign investment law could be expected to continue under the current government.

The Guardian - Business

If any surroundings could be expected to elicit verse from people, these are they.

The Guardian - Travel

What flagging author could be expected to write more than one hefty novel a year?

The New York Times - Arts

FEW mortals could be expected to resist the Cheesecake Factory's central theme: deliriously rich desserts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be expected to", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for the expectation. Specify the conditions or factors that lead to this expectation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be expected to" when a higher degree of certainty is warranted. If the outcome is highly probable, consider using stronger phrases like "will likely" or "is certain to" to better reflect the level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be expected to" functions as a modal construction used to express expectations or predictions about future events or behaviors. It suggests a degree of likelihood based on existing circumstances or prior knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for general usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be expected to" is a versatile phrase used to express reasonable anticipation or prediction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts, with a neutral tone that suits formal, professional, and even casual communication. While highly frequent in news, scientific, and academic domains, it's important to remember to provide clear contextual basis for the expectation. For alternatives, consider "is likely to" or "might reasonably anticipate" depending on the desired level of formality and certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is anticipated to

More concise and direct way of expressing expectation.

is likely to

Simplifies the expression to a direct statement of likelihood.

can anticipate

Replaces the conditional 'could' with 'can', suggesting a higher degree of certainty.

might reasonably anticipate

Replaces the modal "could" with "might" and uses a more descriptive verb phrase.

one might anticipate

Uses a more formal tone and replaces "could be expected" with "might anticipate".

one would assume

Expresses an expectation based on common knowledge or prior experience.

it is reasonable to assume

Shifts the focus to the reasonableness of the assumption.

it is plausible that

Indicates a possibility or likelihood based on available information.

it stands to reason that

Suggests a logical conclusion based on the available evidence.

it's foreseeable that

Highlights the predictability of an event.

FAQs

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

Use "could be expected to" to express a reasonable anticipation or prediction based on existing conditions or past experiences. For example, "Given the current economic climate, inflation "could be expected to" rise."

What are some alternatives to "could be expected to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is likely to", "is anticipated to", or "might reasonably anticipate".

Is it correct to use "could be expected to" in formal writing?

Yes, "could be expected to" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of professional and neutral expectation.

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

"Could be expected to" indicates a prediction based on circumstances, while "should be expected to" implies a moral or normative expectation. "The company "could be expected to" report losses" suggests a likely outcome, whereas "employees "should be expected to" arrive on time" sets a standard.