expected to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express something that you assume, or that others believe, will occur in the future. For example, "The new policy is expected to happen in the next few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's not something I expected to happen".

Independent

Here is what is expected to happen.

The Guardian

This was not expected to happen.

The Guardian - Books

That is expected to happen within weeks.

The Guardian - Money

That's expected to happen in the third quarter of 2013.

The New York Times

It's an incident no one expected to happen".

Independent

What is expected to happen as the earth warms?

The New York Times

"It is what I expected to happen," Ms. Daranee said.

The New York Times

That is expected to happen on Friday, Lloyd said.

The Guardian

The transfer is expected to happen within days.

The Guardian

Violence is expected to happen in these communities".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "expected to happen" to clearly communicate an anticipated event or outcome based on current information or trends. Ensure the context provides a reasonable basis for the expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "expected to happen" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. Using weaker terms like "might happen" or "could occur" provides a more accurate representation of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected to happen" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig, it indicates an anticipated event or outcome based on current information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expected to happen" is a versatile phrase used to express anticipation or prediction of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in "News & Media", the phrase also appears in "Science" and "Formal & Business" contexts, reflecting its adaptability across various registers. When employing this phrase, clarity and a reasonable basis for the expectation are key. Alternatives like "anticipated to occur" or "predicted to take place" can be used for subtle shifts in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated to occur

Replaces 'happen' with 'occur', adding a slightly more formal tone.

predicted to take place

Substitutes 'expected' with 'predicted' and 'happen' with 'take place', conveying a stronger sense of foresight.

foreseen to unfold

Replaces 'expected' with 'foreseen' and 'happen' with 'unfold', implying a more gradual and revealed development.

likely to transpire

Uses 'likely' instead of 'expected' and 'transpire' for 'happen', giving a sense of inevitability and formality.

anticipated to come to pass

Replaces 'happen' with 'come to pass', offering a more traditional or literary tone.

projected to materialize

Employs 'projected' and 'materialize' instead of 'expected' and 'happen', suitable for discussing forecasts or tangible outcomes.

envisioned to develop

Substitutes 'expected' with 'envisioned' and 'happen' with 'develop', suggesting a planned or conceptual progression.

presumed to unfold

Replaces 'expected' with 'presumed' and 'happen' with 'unfold', indicating an assumption about how things will play out.

destined to occur

Uses 'destined' instead of 'expected', implying a predetermined or inevitable outcome.

bound to transpire

Substitutes 'expected' with 'bound', indicating a high degree of certainty about the event's occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "expected to happen" in a sentence?

Use "expected to happen" to describe events or outcomes that are anticipated based on current trends or available information. For example: "The merger is "expected to happen" by the end of the year."

What are some alternatives to "expected to happen"?

Alternatives include "anticipated to occur", "predicted to take place", or "likely to transpire", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct: "expected to happen" or "supposed to happen"?

"Expected to happen" implies a prediction based on evidence or trends, while "supposed to happen" suggests an obligation or plan. The choice depends on whether you're describing an anticipated outcome or a planned event.

What's the difference between "expected to happen" and "predicted to happen"?

"Expected to happen" generally suggests a reasonable anticipation based on current conditions, while "predicted to happen" implies a more formal or expert-driven forecast. "Predicted to happen" often involves specific data analysis or modeling.