expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is anticipated or predicted to happen. Example: "The results of the experiment were expected to show a significant improvement in performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anderson delivered his report to Downing Street on 6 May, the day before the general election, and it is expected to be published in the next few days.

The Guardian

The legislation will include not only the expected snooper's charter, enabling the tracking of everyone's web and social media use, but also moves to strengthen the security services' warranted powers for the bulk interception of the content of communications.

The Guardian

Nigeria's neighbours, Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, were expected to attend, along with US, UK and EU representatives.

The Guardian

It has the second largest oil reserves among the former Soviet republics after Russia, and its oil exports are expected to soar as its huge Kashagan oil field, in the Caspian Sea, develops.

The Guardian

With more than 70% of the poor now living, or expected to live in middle-income countries, these regions would be likely targets for investment.

The Guardian

The move by the leaders of Germany and France, who were upset by Cameron's initial plan to deliver his speech on the same day as their celebration marking their historic post-war reconciliation, means negotiations could take place earlier than No 10 had expected.

The Guardian

The ground can only hold 11,700 people and it was widely expected work would begin to meet the need for rising ticket demand soon after their first promotion to the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

The vote is expected at around 5pm UK time but a planned press conference with the winner has been postponed until Saturday morning.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expected", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the expecting and what the basis for the expectation is. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "expected" without specifying the source or basis of the expectation. For example, instead of saying 'The product is expected to launch soon,' specify 'Industry analysts expected the product to launch soon based on recent announcements'.

Linguistic Context

The word "expected" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate anticipation or likelihood. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, such as "the "expected" storm" or ""expected" gains". It can also function as the past participle of the verb 'expect'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expected" is a versatile term frequently used as an adjective to denote anticipation or high probability. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly appears in various contexts, including news, sports, and business. While generally neutral in register, specifying the source of expectation enhances clarity. Alternatives like "anticipated" or "predicted" can be used depending on the nuance you aim to convey. As Ludwig shows, understanding the context is key to effective usage of "expected".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated

Focuses more on the act of looking forward to something, often with a sense of excitement or eagerness.

predicted

Suggests a forecast or estimation based on available information or trends.

foreseen

Implies an ability to see or know something in advance, often with a sense of inevitability.

anticipated outcome

Specifically refers to the result or consequence that is foreseen or predicted.

likely

Indicates a high probability of something happening or being true.

probable

Similar to 'likely', but sometimes suggests a more statistical or reasoned assessment of possibility.

presumed

Suggests something is taken for granted or assumed to be true, often without concrete evidence.

envisaged

Implies a mental picture or vision of something in the future.

scheduled

Indicates something is planned or arranged to happen at a particular time.

hoped-for

Expresses a desire or wish for something to happen, implying a level of uncertainty.

FAQs

How is "expected" used in a sentence?

"Expected" can describe something anticipated to happen, like "The delivery is "expected" tomorrow", or a standard of behavior, such as "He met the "expected" level of performance".

What are some alternatives to the word "expected"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "expected" include "anticipated", "predicted", or "foreseen".

What's the difference between "expected" and "hoped-for"?

"Expected" implies a reasonable degree of certainty based on evidence or trends, while "hoped-for" implies a desire for something to happen, with less certainty. You might say, "The team achieved the "expected" results," but "We are awaiting the "hoped-for" outcome of the negotiations".

Is it always necessary to specify who "expected" something?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "expected" something enhances clarity. Saying "Analysts "expected" a rise in sales" is more informative than "A rise in sales was "expected"".