he was expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he was expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone who was expected to do something. For example: "John was expected to arrive an hour ago, but he has not yet arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was expected to survive.

The New York Times

Doctors said he was expected to survive.

The New York Times

He was expected to be released Saturday.

The New York Times

He was expected to resign.

The New York Times

He was expected to return Saturday.

The New York Times

He was expected to receive $3.2m.

The Guardian

He was expected to be released soon.

The New York Times

He was expected to give his ruling on Thursday.

The New York Times

He was expected to return for more interviews on Wednesday.

The New York Times

He was expected to remain hospitalized a few more days.

The New York Times - Sports

He was expected to be arraigned Sunday night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was expected" when referring to an action or state that was anticipated or predicted based on prior knowledge or circumstances. For example, "He was expected to win the race because he was the fastest runner."

Common error

Avoid confusing "he was expected" with active constructions. It emphasizes the expectation placed upon him, not his own intention. Don't use it when describing his personal desires or plans, instead use phrases like "he intended to" or "he planned to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was expected" functions as a passive construction indicating that an anticipation, prediction, or obligation was placed upon the subject. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts, confirming its role in expressing external expectations. It follows standard grammatical rules, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Sports

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was expected" is a versatile expression used to indicate anticipation or prediction regarding someone's actions or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, and sports reporting. While versatile, it's important to distinguish its passive voice from active intentions. Related phrases offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, each with slight differences in emphasis. By understanding these nuances, writers can use "he was expected" effectively and avoid common errors in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was anticipated

Uses "anticipated" instead of "expected", suggesting a slightly stronger sense of looking forward to something.

he had been predicted to

Highlights a prior prediction, often based on analysis or forecasting.

it was foreseen that he would

Emphasizes the prediction or foresight aspect of the expectation.

the assumption was he would

Emphasizes the underlying assumption that led to the expectation.

people thought he would

Focuses on the general belief or opinion about his future action.

he was due to

Suggests a scheduled event or obligation, often referring to timelines or deadlines.

he was meant to

Implies a plan or intention, suggesting less of a prediction and more of a predetermined course.

one would think he would

Expresses the expectation as a reasonable or logical conclusion.

he was slated to

Indicates a formal scheduling or arrangement, making it more specific than a general expectation.

it had been planned for him to

Highlights the planning aspect, emphasizing that arrangements were made.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was expected" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "it was anticipated that he would" or "it was foreseen that he would". These options add a layer of formality while maintaining the core meaning.

What's the difference between "he was expected" and "he was supposed to"?

"He was expected" implies an anticipation or prediction based on circumstances, while "he was supposed to" suggests an obligation or plan. The former is about forecasting; the latter is about duty or arrangement.

Is "he was expected to" grammatically correct in all contexts?

Yes, "he was expected to" is generally grammatically correct when used to express an anticipation or prediction. However, ensure the context aligns with this meaning. Avoid using it when a different verb tense or voice is more appropriate.

What are some common situations where I can use "he was expected"?

You can use "he was expected" when discussing outcomes based on prior trends, scheduled events, or anticipated behaviors. For example, "he was expected to arrive on time because he's always punctual", or "he was expected to win the election given his strong lead in the polls".