false expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'false expectations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that leads to unrealistic expectations, such as someone who was promised something that will never be realized. Example: "The enthusiastic advertising campaign gave customers false expectations about the product's features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Preserving this balance creates false expectations.

The Economist

"That is a case of false expectations".

The New York Times

Sharon added: "Don't create false expectations.

The New York Times

False expectations should not be raised.

The New York Times

"It is unfortunate to give people false expectations".

The New York Times - Magazine

Why call it ravioli and raise false expectations?

The New York Times

Again, entrants come with a lot of false expectations.

The Guardian

This can be done by exploiting the rationality gap – interfacing with our false expectations.

The Guardian

We don't want to give people false expectations, and it gives the field a bad name".

The New Yorker

Directgov not only creates false expectations, it actually puts a stopper in campaigns.

The Guardian - Opinion

I told her the real problem might be that Amazon raised false expectations.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential outcomes, carefully assess the available information to avoid creating "false expectations". Transparency and realistic assessments are crucial.

Common error

Avoid making guarantees or overly optimistic predictions without solid evidence. Overpromising can lead to "false expectations" and damage trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false expectations" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "false expectations" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe unrealistic or unfounded anticipations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. To avoid creating "false expectations", it's crucial to promote transparency and realistic assessments. Alternatives like ""unrealistic expectations"" or "misleading expectations" can be used depending on the specific nuance. Remember that overpromising results can damage trust, so always ensure that claims are well-supported by evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrealistic expectations

Changes the adjective to emphasize the lack of realism.

unfounded expectations

Focuses on the lack of a solid basis for the expectations.

misleading expectations

Highlights the deceptive nature of the expectations.

inflated expectations

Suggests that the expectations are exaggerated.

exaggerated expectations

Similar to inflated, but emphasizes overstatement.

unfulfilled expectations

Focuses on the failure of the expectations to materialize.

unjustified expectations

Highlights the lack of justification for the expectations.

illusory expectations

Emphasizes the deceptive or unreal quality of the expectations.

vain hopes

Shifts the focus to the futility of the hopes, implying unrealistic expectations.

baseless assumptions

Highlights that expectations are not based on facts.

FAQs

How can I use "false expectations" in a sentence?

"False expectations" can be used to describe situations where people anticipate outcomes that are unlikely to occur, such as, "The marketing campaign created "unrealistic expectations" among consumers".

What is an alternative to saying "false expectations"?

Alternatives to "false expectations" include ""unrealistic expectations"", "misleading expectations", or "unfounded expectations", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "false expectations" and "high hopes"?

"False expectations" suggests an anticipation that is unlikely to be realized or is based on misinformation, while "high hopes" simply implies a strong desire for a positive outcome, without necessarily being unrealistic.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "false expectations"?

It's appropriate to use "false expectations" when you want to highlight that certain anticipations are not grounded in reality or are likely to lead to disappointment. It implies a degree of deception or misunderstanding.