is to be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"is to be expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a particular result or outcome is normal or predictable. For example: "The company's low stock prices, given the current economic downturn, is to be expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Perhaps this is to be expected.

The New York Times - Arts

So this is to be expected.

The New York Times

That, however, is to be expected.

Independent

Such chippiness is to be expected.

The New York Times - Books

That is to be expected, of course.

The New York Times

This is to be expected.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Fluctuations are to be expected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That was to be expected.

The New York Times

This was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

I supose that's to be expected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is to be expected" to set realistic expectations in reports, analyses, or predictions. For example: "Some market volatility, given the new regulations, "is to be expected".

Common error

Avoid using "is to be expected" as a blanket excuse for poor performance or negligence. Overusing it can sound dismissive and fail to address underlying issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is to be expected" serves as a modal expression, indicating a degree of predictability or likelihood. As Ludwig AI explains, this is used to set expectations. Examples from Ludwig illustrate usage across various contexts, such as news reports and academic texts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is to be expected" is a versatile phrase used to convey predictability across a range of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples demonstrate its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific domains. When writing, using this phrase can effectively manage expectations, but it's important to avoid overusing it as an excuse. Instead, consider alternative phrases like "should be anticipated" or "comes as no surprise" to add nuance. Remember to avoid blanket usage as an exculpatory justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be anticipated

Uses "should" instead of "is", suggesting anticipation or preparation.

can be foreseen

Replaces "expected" with "foreseen", emphasizing the ability to see it in advance.

is only natural

Substitutes "expected" with "natural", indicating an inherent or logical outcome.

was predictable

Uses adjective "predictable" to describe the outcome.

comes as no surprise

Expresses the lack of surprise at the occurrence of something.

is bound to happen

Implies inevitability and certainty.

is almost certain

Emphasizes the high likelihood of something happening.

one can anticipate

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate that something can be reasonably anticipated.

is par for the course

Indicates that something is typical or normal in a given situation.

is in the cards

Suggests a predetermined or inevitable outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "is to be expected" in a sentence?

The phrase "is to be expected" indicates that something is predictable or normal. For example, "Given the circumstances, a delay "is to be expected"".

What are some alternatives to "is to be expected"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should be anticipated", "was predictable", or "comes as no surprise", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is to be expected" in formal writing?

Yes, "is to be expected" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the nuance you want to convey and choose more precise language if necessary. For example, instead of "some errors "are to be expected"", try "some errors "are unavoidable"".

What is the difference between "is to be expected" and "should be expected"?

"Is to be expected" suggests something is likely based on current conditions. "Should be expected" implies a normative expectation or requirement based on rules or guidelines. While similar, the latter carries a stronger sense of obligation or correctness.