Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's only to be expected
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(7)

it's not surprising

as expected

it comes as no surprise

it was bound to happen

it's inevitable

that's the way it goes

it was predictable

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's only to be expected in this heat.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's only to be expected," Mr. Proudian said.

News & Media

The New York Times

So it's only to be expected that man is the latest species to be endangered by alien habitats, like Europe.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

If happiness is the underlying quest of our lives, it's only to be expected that it should feature rather large in films, too.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

"It's surprising to me that they'd say they didn't care about the future of the country – but then America is not the most educated population so maybe it's only to be expected," he said.

News & Media

The Guardian

It's only to be expected that he should saunter, unruffled, out of his dressing room, and - flanked by two staff - stride coolly down the backstage corridor that will take him to the stage and his expectant audience.

News & Media

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was only to be expected.

News & Media

The Guardian

Sadly, though, it was only to be expected.

News & Media

The New Yorker

That was only to be expected.

News & Media

The Economist

But that was only to be expected.

News & Media

The Economist

This was only to be expected.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's only to be expected" when you want to convey that a particular outcome or situation is not surprising, given the circumstances. It implies a degree of inevitability or predictability, making it suitable for explaining cause-and-effect relationships or normal consequences.

Common error

Avoid overusing "it's only to be expected" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, it can sometimes sound too conversational. Opt for more formal alternatives like "it was foreseeable" or "it was to be anticipated" to maintain a professional tone.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's only to be expected" functions as an commentary phrase or adverbial phrase expressing that a particular outcome or situation is predictable or unsurprising. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to indicate a natural or foreseeable consequence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's only to be expected" is a commentary expression indicating that an event or outcome is predictable or unsurprising. Ludwig's examples show that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, as well as in wiki-style writing. It serves to normalize events, implying a degree of inevitability, and can be replaced by phrases such as "it's not surprising" or "that was to be anticipated". While suitable for general use, one should avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was to be anticipated

Uses "anticipated" instead of "expected", emphasizing prior awareness.

it comes as no surprise

Highlights the lack of surprise, focusing on the predictable nature of the event.

it's not surprising

Directly states the lack of surprise regarding the situation.

it's to be foreseen

Implies the event was predictable or predictable in advance.

that's par for the course

Uses an idiom to indicate the event is normal or typical in a particular situation.

it was bound to happen

Indicates a sense of inevitability or that the event was unavoidable.

it's inevitable

Emphasizes the certainty of the event occurring.

as expected

A shortened form conveying the same meaning.

that's the way it goes

Suggests acceptance of an outcome, implying it's a common occurrence.

it was predictable

Focuses on the predictability of the event or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it's only to be expected" in a sentence?

You can use "it's only to be expected" to express that something is not surprising given the circumstances. For example, "Given the heavy rain, "it's only to be expected" that the game was canceled."

What does "it's only to be expected" mean?

"It's only to be expected" means that something is predictable or not surprising based on the circumstances. It suggests a natural consequence or a foreseeable outcome.

What are some alternatives to "it's only to be expected"?

Alternatives to "it's only to be expected" include "it's not surprising", "as expected", or "that was to be anticipated" depending on the context.

Is "it's only to be expected" formal or informal?

"It's only to be expected" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It is suitable for most everyday conversations and news contexts, but may be less appropriate for very formal academic or business writing.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's only to be expectedGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's only to be expected
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples