from what we expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from what we expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that differ from initial assumptions or predictions. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising, as they deviated significantly from what we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That's different from what we expected at the beginning of the year," he said.

The New York Times

The concert brought a "whole new dimension from what we expected," Mr. Maazel told reporters afterward.

The New York Times

"This is totally different from what we expected," he said softly.

The New York Times

"The commitments made so far are far from what we expected," The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

The New York Times

"It's definitely watered down from what we expected," said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The Guardian

"The economic situation is much worse from what we expected," Akbar Torkan, a member of Mr. Rouhani's inner circle, told Aseman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He'll come back down to earth in Week 2. Harvin should benefit from what we expect to be a rebound week for Donovon McNabb against Tampa Bay.

The New York Times

An anomaly is something that deviates from what we expect, which gives rise to our thinking it peculiar, strange or, more informally, "out of whack, funny-looking".

The New York Times - Magazine

It couldn't be more different from what we expect from watching the news.

Forbes

An understanding of these signatures is particularly useful in that the overwhelming majority of the signatures is quite different from what we expect in REV-type models.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Using InSAR, we found that the interseismic deformation inside the strain concentration zone is spatially heterogeneous and different from what we expect from the fault traces.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "from what we expected", ensure the subject and verb following it clearly indicate what deviated. For example: "The results, from what we expected, showed a significant increase."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "from what we expected" close to the element it modifies. Incorrect: "The project failed, from what we expected." Correct: "From what we expected, the project failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from what we expected" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause. This clause often modifies a statement by indicating that a result or observation deviates from a prior expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from what we expected" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a deviation from anticipated outcomes, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause, often modifying a statement and expressing surprise or contrast. While its register is generally neutral, it is frequently found in news and science contexts, suggesting a broad applicability. To ensure clarity, place the phrase close to the element it modifies. Alternative phrases, such as "contrary to our expectations" or "different than anticipated", may be used to vary the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different than anticipated

This option highlights that the actual outcome was unlike what was foreseen.

contrary to our expectations

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary to convey the difference between the actual outcome and what was anticipated.

in contrast to our expectations

This alternative emphasizes the direct opposition between what was expected and what happened.

deviated from our projections

This alternative is suitable for technical or analytical contexts.

against our forecast

This option is shorter and highlights a contradiction in predictions.

unlike what we had foreseen

This alternative stresses the advance seeing or knowing about an event.

not as we envisioned

This option introduces an element of original vision or planning.

unexpectedly

This single word replacement emphasizes the surprise element of the deviation.

at odds with our anticipation

This phrase uses more figurative language highlighting disagreement.

varying from our initial thoughts

This phrase emphasizes the difference from the beginning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "from what we expected"?

You can use alternatives like "contrary to our expectations", "different than anticipated", or "unexpectedly" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "contrary to our expectations" instead of "from what we expected"?

Yes, "contrary to our expectations" generally carries a more formal tone compared to "from what we expected", which is suitable for both formal and informal settings.

What's the difference between "as we expected" and "from what we expected"?

"As we expected" indicates an outcome aligned with prior beliefs, while "from what we expected" indicates a deviation or difference from prior beliefs.

Can "from what we expected" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "from what we expected" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to set the context. For example: "From what we expected, the storm intensified rapidly."