is below expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is below expectation' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe anything that performs worse than one was expecting. For example, "Our team's performance this season is below expectation; we haven't achieved any of our goals so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although the coefficient of performance of the experimental apparatus is below expectation while comparing with the theoretical results, optimization methods are put forward by the present paper for further research.

Energy Conversion and Management

Positive values designate that S ij exceeds random expectation, whereas negative values indicate that S ij is below expectation.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But sales in November and December were "below expectations," Gareth Penny, the company's group managing director, said.

The New York Times

One reason revenues were below expectations was because sales of the company's colorful iMac computers fell short of both company and analyst projections.

The New York Times

Most notably, VMware's revenues for the next quarter and the year ahead are below expectations.

TechCrunch

The bank said the cuts would hit all divisions but particularly its investment bank, whose performance was "below expectations".

BBC

Caldwell said the Barbed Wire Massacre was "well developed" but was "below expectations".

Wikipedia

Industrial output in Germany is below expectations.

The New York Times

Unsatisfactory – Academic progress has stalled and performance is below expectations.

Cornell University

"Absolutely, what has been achieved so far in the intelligence and security efforts is below expectations".

The New York Times

In fact, economic growth since 2000 has averaged only about 2.5percentt, which is below expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is below expectation", clearly define what the expectation was. This provides context and prevents ambiguity. For example, "The project's completion rate is below expectation, as we aimed for 90% but only achieved 75%."

Common error

Avoid using "is below expectation" without specifying the benchmark. Saying "Sales are below expectation" is less effective than "Sales are below the expectation of a 10% quarterly increase."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is below expectation" functions primarily as a descriptive statement. It indicates that a particular outcome, result, or performance fails to reach a previously established or anticipated standard. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage in both scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is below expectation" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe something that does not meet anticipated standards. Though relatively rare, according to Ludwig, its use is found in both scientific and news-related contexts. To use the phrase effectively, it's important to clearly define what the expectation was, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives such as "falls short of expectations" or "does not meet expectations" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. In any situation, ensure the standard of measurement is made clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falls short of expectations

Replaces "is below" with "falls short of", emphasizing the failure to reach a target.

does not meet expectations

Uses a more direct and common expression to indicate unmet expectations.

underperforms

A concise verb that directly states the failure to perform as expected.

is worse than anticipated

Focuses on the comparison between actual performance and prior anticipation.

is not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something does not meet the required standard.

fails to deliver the expected results

Emphasizes the lack of desired outcomes.

disappointing results

Highlights the disappointment caused by the inadequate performance.

lower than expected

Simply states a quantitative difference relative to expectations, can be used if there is a parameter that has been measured.

poorer than forecast

Similar to "lower than expected", but refers to a forecast or prediction.

lags behind expectations

Implies a slower pace or a delayed achievement compared to what was anticipated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is below expectation" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "falls short of expectations", "does not meet expectations", or "underperforms".

What's a simpler way to say "is below expectation"?

Simpler alternatives include "lower than expected", "worse than anticipated", or "disappointing results".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "is below expectation"?

The phrase "is below expectation" is suitable for various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. The key factor is the requirement to assess or describe a level of achievement or performance in relation to the desired level.

Is "is below expectation" synonymous with "underperforms"?

While both phrases indicate inadequate performance, "is below expectation" implies a comparison to a specific anticipated level, while "underperforms" more generally suggests not performing as well as it could or should. Consider the context to decide if both are suitable.