expected something to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected something to be" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It is typically used when describing an anticipated outcome or result. Example: Sarah expected the movie to be entertaining, but she was disappointed when it turned out to be boring.

✓ Grammatically correct

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Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's complicated, but we do expect something to be published soon".

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM STEPHENIE HENDRICKS: Why can't we expect something to be absolutely safe?

The New Yorker

She had reason to expect something to be done, since after a previous exchange on Mumsnet David Cameron had paid her a visit.

The Guardian - Books

In the group's first New York club appearances, one expects something to be lost in translation -- unless they bring their own sound system -- but the dense groove should be portable.

The New York Times

Trump has threatened "massive litigation" to block New York's plan, and he objects to Indian casinos generally, but for now he says, "I expect something to be built [in New York] very quickly".

Forbes

You can easily trip or stumble if you expect something to be the same level and it isn't.

Huffington Post

The grant from Knight will cover some of the new costs, as will a $1.5 million grant from the Omidyar Network, but Ms. Lublin expects Do Something to be able to cover 90 percent of its costs in 18 months.

The New York Times

In fact venture blog Alarm Clock Europe was under the impression that something was expecting something to happen in April last year.

TechCrunch

"Every time he goes up there, you're expecting something to happen," Granderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Lampedusa Mayor Giusi Nicolini - who wept at the scene - said: "After these deaths, we are expecting something to change.

BBC

This is to be expected and is not something to be alarmed about.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expected something to be" when describing a reasonable anticipation based on prior knowledge or experience. For example, "Given the company's track record, I "expected something to be" released on time."

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid overusing "expected something to be" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger verbs like 'anticipated' or 'predicted' for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected something to be" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a prior belief or anticipation regarding a particular situation or outcome. Examples from Ludwig indicate its common use in various contexts, like predicting results or assessing the nature of events.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expected something to be" is a grammatically correct construction used to express an anticipation or prior belief. While Ludwig shows no specific examples, the phrase is generally versatile and can be used in various contexts, although care should be taken to avoid overuse in overly formal settings. It can be replaced with alternatives like "anticipated something would be" or "assumed something was going to be" depending on the intended nuance. When writing, it is best practice to use it when describing a reasonable anticipation based on prior knowledge or experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated something would be

Replaces "expected" with "anticipated" and adjusts the structure slightly to maintain a similar meaning.

assumed something was going to be

Uses "assumed" to convey a slightly less certain expectation, and changes the verb tense to "was going to be".

thought something would turn out to be

Emphasizes the belief or thought process behind the expectation, adding "turn out".

believed something to be

Shortens the phrase by replacing "expected something to be" with "believed something to be", indicating a firm conviction.

presumed something to be

Similar to "assumed", but suggests a more formal or legal context.

envisioned something as being

Focuses on the mental image or vision of something's state.

foresaw something in the process of becoming

Implies a predictive element, seeing something evolve into a certain state.

imagined something in its future state

Highlights the imaginative aspect of anticipating a future condition.

predicted something's eventual form

Uses "predicted" to emphasize a forecast or projection of something's final state.

calculated that something should develop into

Suggests a rational or analytical approach to expecting an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "expected something to be" to express an anticipation or belief about a particular outcome. For example, "I expected the presentation to be informative, but it was rather dull."

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

You can use alternatives such as "anticipated something would be", "assumed something was going to be", or "thought something would turn out to be" depending on the context.

Is "expected something to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "expected something to be" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure.

What is the difference between "expected something to be" and "hoped something would be"?

"Expected something to be" implies a level of certainty or anticipation based on evidence or prior knowledge, while "hoped something would be" expresses a desire or wish for a particular outcome without necessarily having a strong basis for belief. You expect something based on the circumstances, but hope for something without necessarily having evidence.