he was expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a belief or assumption about someone's responsibilities or duties in a particular situation. Example: "As the team leader, he was expected to provide guidance and support to his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

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 remain hospitalized a few more days.

The New York Times - Sports

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 be arraigned Sunday night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was expected to" when you want to convey a sense of anticipation, obligation, or generally accepted future action.

Common error

Don't use "he was expected to" when you really mean "he wanted to". "Expected" implies an external obligation, not an internal desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was expected to" functions as a passive construction indicating an anticipation or obligation placed upon someone. It highlights what others believed or required of him. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from professional duties to personal expectations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was expected to" is a very common phrase used to indicate anticipation, obligation, or a generally accepted course of action. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct. It's most frequently found in news and media but also appears in formal business and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects an external obligation rather than a personal desire. Consider alternatives such as ""he was anticipated to"" or ""he was supposed to"" depending on the level of formality and strength of obligation you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was anticipated to

Replaces "expected" with "anticipated", implying a slightly more formal expectation.

he was supposed to

Suggests an informal expectation or agreement.

he was meant to

Implies an intended or pre-arranged action.

it was assumed that he would

Highlights the presumption or inference made about his future actions.

it was foreseen that he would

Uses "foreseen" to convey a sense of predictability or inevitability about his actions.

it was his responsibility to

Highlights the obligation or duty associated with the expectation.

he was obliged to

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the expectation.

he was scheduled to

Focuses on the planned or arranged aspect of the expectation.

he had a commitment to

Stresses that he pledged to do something. Commitment is more binding than expectation.

people thought he would

Shifts the focus to public perception and belief.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "he was anticipated to" or it "was foreseen that he would". These options add a layer of formality and precision to your writing.

Is there a difference between "he was expected to" and "he was supposed to"?

While similar, "he was expected to" often implies a stronger sense of obligation or external pressure than "he was supposed to", which can suggest a more informal arrangement or agreement.

Can "he was expected to" be used in the past perfect tense?

Yes, you can use it in the past perfect tense as "he had been expected to". This form indicates that the expectation existed before a certain point in the past.

What are some common contexts where you might use "he was expected to"?

This phrase is frequently used in news reports, business communications, and academic writing to describe anticipated actions or responsibilities. For example, "he was expected to announce his resignation" or "he was expected to complete the project by Friday".