failed expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed expectations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to situations where somebody has not been able to meet or achieve the goals or standards of performance they had hoped for. For example, "The results of the test were far below my failed expectations".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Title:Failed Expectations: Do Batterer Programs Reform Offenders?

Columbia University

"There's a history of disappointment and failed expectations," he says.

The Economist

Despite the Giants' dismal record and failed expectations, there is still room for celebration.

The New York Times - Sports

How quickly the golden hue of optimism fades into the familiar gloom of disappointment and failed expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

The potential misalignment between architecture and code can lead to failures in the evolution process in terms of economic impacts, failed expectations, and so on.

Journal of Systems and Software

The economic stresses almost a century ago that culminated in the Great Depression were far worse than most of Trump's followers have experienced, but they've suffered something that in some respects is more painful – failed expectations.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Earlier Chu, 54, had conceded defeat telling his supporters: "We have failed the expectations of all voters".

The Guardian

It said too much of the academy's teaching failed because expectations were low, lessons lacked challenge and marking did not consistently guide students on how to improve.

BBC

In losing to lesser teams, the Nets have shown a tendency to fail when expectations rise.

The New York Times - Sports

As users increasingly use services that fail their expectations, they are going to become more and more educated about what services to use, and which to avoid.

TechCrunch

Each failed to meet expectations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing outcomes, use "failed expectations" to acknowledge a gap between anticipated and actual results. This is particularly useful in fields like project management, investment analysis, and personal development where managing expectations is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "failed expectations" when you mean "low expectations". The former refers to a situation where expectations were not met, while the latter refers to having modest hopes or predictions from the start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed expectations" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, describing a situation or condition where anticipated outcomes were not realized. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed expectations" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe situations where anticipated outcomes do not materialize. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and adaptability across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Academia. When writing, use "failed expectations" to acknowledge gaps between anticipated and actual results, avoiding confusion with "low expectations". Related phrases such as "unfulfilled hopes" and "frustrated expectations" can provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frustrated expectations

Highlights the feeling of annoyance and dissatisfaction resulting from unmet expectations.

unfulfilled hopes

Replaces 'expectations' with 'hopes', emphasizing the aspirational aspect that wasn't realized.

dashed hopes

Emphasizes the disappointment of hopes and dreams that were abruptly ruined.

disappointed hopes

Directly points out the sadness and frustration of having your hopes let down.

unmet aspirations

Substitutes 'expectations' with 'aspirations', highlighting ambitions that have not been achieved.

thwarted ambitions

Focuses on the obstruction of ambitions, implying an external force prevented success.

bitter disappointment

Emphasizes the intense negative emotion associated with not meeting expectations.

betrayed expectations

Suggests a sense of deception or violation of trust in addition to unmet expectations.

broken dreams

Highlights the complete failure of aspirations, often associated with a deep sense of loss.

disillusionment

Captures a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed.

FAQs

How can "failed expectations" be used in a sentence?

"Failed expectations" can be used to describe situations where outcomes did not meet initial hopes or predictions. For example, "The company's "failed expectations" led to a restructuring of its business strategy".

What are some alternatives to "failed expectations"?

Alternatives to "failed expectations" include "unfulfilled hopes", "frustrated expectations", or "disappointed hopes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failed expectations" or "unmet expectations"?

Both "failed expectations" and "unmet expectations" are correct and usable. The choice depends on the specific context; "failed" may suggest a more significant degree of disappointment or deficiency.

What contributes to "failed expectations" in a project?

Several factors can lead to "failed expectations" in a project, including unrealistic goals, poor communication, inadequate planning, and unforeseen circumstances.