exactly as expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly as expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or outcome that aligns perfectly with what was anticipated or predicted. Example: "The results of the experiment came in exactly as expected, confirming our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dopamine response increases when the world is better than expected; when an expected reward is delivered, the world is exactly as expected and there ought to be no dopamine response.

Biology and Philosophy

Exactly as expected.

MIT Technology Review

Sometimes a novel performs exactly as expected.

The New York Times

Horton's plan materialized exactly as expected.

The New York Times

But not everything worked out exactly as expected.

The New York Times

They get rattled when the numbers aren't exactly as expected".

The New York Times

The Americans will enter the knockout rounds exactly as expected, as the heavy favorite.

The New York Times - Sports

"The lottery is performing exactly as expected, with or without her.

The New York Times

Although both are successful, the relationship may not have worked out exactly as expected.

The New York Times

"Ad trends are exactly as expected," said Citi. "Expectations for the year unchanged.

The Guardian

The trajectory of a particle with the critical migration velocity is exactly as expected by our theory.

Journal of Chromatography A

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly as expected" to convey a sense of predictability and precision in your writing. It's effective when describing outcomes that align perfectly with forecasts or plans.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "exactly as expected". While useful, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "as anticipated" or "in line with expectations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly as expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an event or outcome occurred in complete accordance with prior expectations. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly as expected" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that signifies complete alignment with prior predictions or plans. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While precise and effective, remember to vary your language to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "precisely as anticipated" or "just as predicted" can add nuance to your writing. Ultimately, "exactly as expected" serves as a powerful tool to convey predictability and accuracy in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As anticipated

A shorter, more direct way of saying something happened as expected.

Precisely as anticipated

Replaces 'exactly' with 'precisely', emphasizing accuracy and alignment with what was foreseen.

In line with expectations

Indicates that results or actions are consistent with what was anticipated.

Just as predicted

Emphasizes the predictive aspect, highlighting that the outcome matches a prior forecast.

True to expectation

Focuses on the fulfillment of anticipation or belief.

Right on cue

Suggests timing and precision, implying something happened at the expected moment.

As one would expect

Highlights the common-sense or logical nature of an outcome.

According to plan

Highlights adherence to a predetermined strategy or course of action.

Predictably

Expresses that an event unfolded in a way that was easy to foresee.

As foretold

Adds a sense of destiny or inevitability, implying the outcome was known in advance.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly as expected" in a sentence?

Use "exactly as expected" to describe results, events, or outcomes that match prior predictions or plans. For example, "The experiment's results came out "exactly as expected", confirming our initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "exactly as expected"?

Alternatives include "just as predicted", "precisely as anticipated", or "as anticipated". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it redundant to say "exactly as expected"?

While "expected" already implies a degree of certainty, "exactly as expected" emphasizes the precision and complete alignment with the initial prediction. It's not necessarily redundant if you want to highlight the accuracy.

When should I avoid using "exactly as expected"?

Avoid using "exactly as expected" when the outcome only partially matches expectations or when there's an element of surprise. In such cases, phrases like "largely as expected" or "mostly as anticipated" might be more appropriate.