have been expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was anticipated or predicted in the past and continues to be relevant in the present. Example: "The results of the experiment have been expected to show significant improvement over the previous trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Better should have been expected.

The Economist

This might have been expected.

The New York Times

"They should have been expected.

The Guardian

This change could not have been expected.

Britannica

As might have been expected, Lieut.

Nature

In that regard, their good results might have been expected.

The Washington Post

Anti-republican feelings could have been expected to surge.

The Guardian

Ordinarily, some 29,000 American visitors might have been expected.

The New York Times

Athletes who have been expected to win have indeed won.

The New York Times

As might have been expected, Olympiakos had the early play.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

and saying that the transition was better than could have been expected.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been expected" to convey that something was anticipated based on prior knowledge or circumstances. Ensure the subject of the sentence clearly indicates what was expected.

Common error

Avoid using "have been expected" when referring to current or future expectations. Use "is expected" or "are expected" instead to maintain proper tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been expected" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something was anticipated or predicted. It highlights that the subject of the sentence received the action of being expected, aligning with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been expected" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate anticipation or predictability. Predominantly found in neutral and formal registers, Ludwig AI highlights its presence across news, scientific, and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, writers should use this phrase when referring to past expectations that are still relevant, avoiding confusion with similar tenses. While alternatives like "were anticipated" or "were predicted" exist, "have been expected" remains a strong choice for conveying a sense of predictability based on prior knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were anticipated

This alternative focuses on the anticipation of an event or outcome, shifting the emphasis slightly from the expectation itself.

were anticipated

This term emphasizes the act of looking forward to something and preparing for it.

were predicted

This suggests a forecast or projection, often based on data or trends, rather than a general expectation.

were foreseen

Implies an ability to see or know something in advance, highlighting foresight.

might have been anticipated

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding the anticipation.

were predictable

This shifts the focus to the inherent quality of being able to be predicted, rather than the act of expecting.

should have been anticipated

Implies a sense of obligation or advisability in anticipating an event.

could have been foreseen

Highlights the possibility of predicting an event, suggesting a missed opportunity for foresight.

were deemed likely

This emphasizes the assessment of probability and likelihood.

were considered probable

Focuses on the consideration and evaluation of an event's probability.

FAQs

How can I use "have been expected" in a sentence?

Use "have been expected" to describe an outcome or event that was anticipated based on prior information or usual patterns. For example, "The company's profits "have been expected" to increase following the new product launch."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "have been expected"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were anticipated", "were predicted", or "were foreseen". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had been expected" instead of "have been expected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct but convey different meanings. "Had been expected" indicates an expectation that existed in the past before another past event, whereas "have been expected" indicates an expectation that started in the past and continues to be relevant to the present.

What is the difference between "is expected" and "have been expected"?

"Is expected" refers to a current or future expectation, whereas "have been expected" refers to an expectation that began in the past and may still be relevant. For example, "The delivery is expected tomorrow" versus "The delivery "have been expected" since last week".