increase expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of raising the level of anticipated outcomes or standards in various contexts, such as education, business, or personal goals. Example: "To achieve better results, we need to increase expectations for our students and encourage them to strive for excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

His handlers said they did not want to overdo the hype and increase expectations in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

Today's reports could increase expectations for a weak reading on December employment, which will be released on Friday morning.

The New York Times

By buying Treasury securities, the Fed aims to lower long-term interest rates and increase expectations of future inflation.

The New York Times

They should raise them and try to increase expectations of inflation.Why isn't this option on the table?

The Economist

The figures may increase expectations that the Bank of Canada will leave interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting next week.

The New York Times

The snag is that a small revaluation is likely to increase expectations of another future appreciation, attracting yet more speculative capital and swelling foreign reserves further.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

What's more, technology increases expectations: people expect the revolution to finish as quickly as it started.

Huffington Post

Success, however, has increased expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, with accolades and investment capital came increasing expectations.

The New York Times

Not to Turner, not to increased expectations, not to anyone.

The New York Times - Sports

Better citizen engagement will obviously not solve increasing demand, diminishing resources and increasing expectations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly communicate the reasons for increasing expectations to ensure buy-in and motivation among those affected.

Common error

Avoid setting unrealistically high expectations when using the phrase "increase expectations". This can lead to failure and demotivation. Always balance aspiration with feasibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase expectations" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, acting as the predicate of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It generally describes an action taken to elevate anticipated standards or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase expectations" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the act of raising anticipated outcomes or standards. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. Alternative phrases, such as "raise expectations" or "heighten expectations", offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

When using the phrase, be mindful of setting realistic and achievable goals to avoid demotivation, balancing ambition with feasibility. Its primary function is to motivate improvement and signal a change in standards. While applicable across different registers, it is most commonly encountered in professional and neutral settings.

While the frequency is not extremely high, "increase expectations" remains a valuable phrase when communicating the need to raise the bar and strive for better results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise expectations

Uses a different verb ("raise") with a similar meaning to "increase", focusing on elevating expectations.

heighten expectations

Employs "heighten" to emphasize the intensification or amplification of expectations.

boost expectations

Suggests a sudden or significant increase in expectations, often associated with positive developments.

inflate expectations

Implies an increase in expectations that may be unrealistic or unsustainable.

fuel expectations

Indicates that expectations are growing due to a specific stimulus or cause.

magnify expectations

Highlights the act of making expectations seem larger or more important.

amplify expectations

Similar to magnify, but can suggest a more controlled or deliberate increase.

escalate expectations

Conveys a gradual and often uncontrolled rise in expectations.

build up expectations

Focuses on a gradual and cumulative increase in anticipation.

cultivate expectations

Suggests a deliberate and careful effort to develop or nurture expectations.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "increase expectations" in a sentence?

Use "increase expectations" to describe raising standards or anticipated outcomes. For example: "The new policy aims to "increase expectations" for student performance."

What's a good alternative to "increase expectations" that conveys a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "raise expectations", "heighten expectations", or "boost expectations", each carrying slight nuances in emphasis.

Is there a risk of misusing "increase expectations", and how can I avoid it?

Misuse often involves setting unattainable goals. To avoid this, ensure that when you "increase expectations", you also provide the necessary support and resources to meet them.

How does "increase expectations" differ from simply "having expectations"?

"Having expectations" refers to baseline anticipation, while "increase expectations" implies a deliberate act of raising those anticipations to a higher level. It suggests active change, not a static state.