initially expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was anticipated or predicted at the beginning of a situation or process. Example: "The project's completion date was initially expected to be in June, but it has been delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet they were not initially expected to achieve universal accessibility.

Harvard University

She was initially expected to leave the hospital on Monday.

The Guardian

Second, the external environment turned out worse than initially expected.

The Guardian - Business

Yields in two areas in Pennsylvania are higher than initially expected.

Cornell University

She initially expected to become a lawyer but then reconsidered her career path.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Congress initially expected the agency to hire 28,000 workers to screen passengers and luggage.

The New York Times

Researchers conducting the studies said they were taking longer than initially expected.

The New York Times - Health

While the company faces fewer cases than initially expected, those that remain appear strong.

The New York Times

This "drift", as experts call it, rendered the current vaccine far less effective than initially expected.

The Guardian

An auction was initially expected shortly after Mr. Clinton left the White House.

The New York Times

But the failure rate of those launches was higher than initially expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially expected" to set up a contrast between a past expectation and the current reality, highlighting how situations or outcomes have evolved.

Common error

Avoid using "initially expected" when referring to ongoing or current expectations. This phrase is best suited for contrasting a past expectation with a present reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially expected" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying when an expectation was held. As Ludwig AI shows, it often introduces a contrast between the initial anticipation and a later development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initially expected" serves to highlight a deviation from an earlier prediction or anticipation. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse domains, including news, academia, and science. Its function is to set up a contrast, indicating that something unfolded differently than originally thought. While the phrase enjoys widespread usage, it's crucial to employ it accurately, ensuring it reflects a past expectation that has since been superseded. Alternatives like "first expected" or "previously expected" can offer nuanced variations, but the core intent remains consistent: to mark a shift from a prior belief or forecast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first expected

Replaces 'initially' with 'first', emphasizing the temporal sequence of the expectation.

previously expected

Substitutes 'initially' with 'previously', indicating an expectation held at an earlier time.

formerly expected

Uses 'formerly' instead of 'initially' to suggest an expectation that was once held but may no longer be.

originally anticipated

Replaces 'expected' with 'anticipated' and 'initially' with 'originally', conveying a similar meaning with slightly different wording.

at first anticipated

Adds 'at first' to emphasize the temporal aspect of the anticipation, similar to 'initially'.

initially predicted

Substitutes 'expected' with 'predicted', focusing on the forecasting aspect of the initial expectation.

early anticipated

Uses 'early' instead of 'initially', focusing on the timing of the anticipation.

first anticipated

Replaces 'initially' with 'first' and 'expected' with 'anticipated', still denoting an original expectation.

at the beginning expected

Rephrases 'initially' with 'at the beginning', making the temporal aspect more explicit.

originally thought

Replaces 'expected' with 'thought' and 'initially' with 'originally', indicating an original belief or assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "initially expected" in a sentence?

Use "initially expected" to describe a situation where early predictions or anticipations differed from the actual outcome. For example: "The project was "initially expected" to be completed by June, but faced unforeseen delays."

What are some alternatives to saying "initially expected"?

You can use alternatives like "first expected", "previously expected", or "originally anticipated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "initially expected" when the expectation is still valid?

No, "initially expected" implies that the original expectation has changed or proven to be inaccurate. If the expectation remains the same, use phrases like "currently expected" or "still expected".

What is the difference between "initially expected" and "originally planned"?

"Initially expected" refers to an anticipation or prediction, while "originally planned" refers to a deliberate intention or course of action. The former is about forecasting, and the latter is about intent.