it was never anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was never anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that was not expected or foreseen in a particular situation or context. Example: "The sudden change in market trends was surprising; it was never anticipated by the analysts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was never anticipated that the permanent supportive housing program was going to take responsibility for all of FEMA's disabled clients," said Martha Kegel, the executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, which is running the federally financed program.

The New York Times

"It was never anticipated that the proportion of campaign travelers would be so heavily tilted toward federal officials".

Huffington Post

The archeologist David Petts has noted that it is one of a number of fonts on Anglesey that has an area with little or no carving, perhaps because it was never anticipated that the plain side of the font would be seen or because the font was carved after being put in its position in the church.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Lawyers, whose presence inside Guantánamo was never anticipated by the Bush Administration — it argued that the detainees had no right to representation — have actually changed things quite a lot.

The New Yorker

"The F.B.I.'s ability to have such broad reach over technical standard-setting was never anticipated in the 1994 act".

The New York Times

"The poor old building is sagging at the seams with visitors and business that was never anticipated".

The New York Times

Pascrell said in a telephone interview: "The bailout money was never anticipated to be used to put your name on a sports arena.

The New York Times - Sports

Although she had been born alive, her lungs soon failed her because, according to Alicia's bereaved parents, inadequate midwifery care meant her weak condition was never anticipated.

The Guardian

And what we see over and over again is that once power is transferred, it starts being used in ways that were never anticipated, and that could never have been justified when the measures were originally passed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But as unprecedented numbers of people channel their political energy through this medium, it's being used in unforeseen ways with societal repercussions that were never anticipated".

The New Yorker

"As unprecedented numbers of people channel their political energy through this medium, it's being used in unforeseen ways with societal repercussions that were never anticipated," he wrote.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was never anticipated" to express a genuine lack of foresight, rather than simply downplaying responsibility. Acknowledge the surprise or unexpected nature of the event.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it was never anticipated" can sometimes sound passive or evasive, especially in formal or professional settings. Consider using stronger verbs like "foresaw" or "predicted" to take more direct ownership of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was never anticipated" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of prior expectation or foresight regarding a particular event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Examples show it used in diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was never anticipated" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a lack of prior expectation or foresight. While confirmed to be usable in written English by Ludwig AI, its frequency is rare, and it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in many situations, stronger verbs are preferable in formal contexts. Remember to use this phrase when conveying a genuine sense of surprise and unexpectedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't foreseen

Emphasizes the lack of foresight or prediction regarding an event or situation.

it wasn't expected

Focuses on the lack of expectation for a particular outcome.

it came as a surprise

Highlights the element of surprise associated with an event.

it was unforeseen

Stresses the inability to see or predict something in advance.

it took everyone by surprise

Emphasizes the widespread astonishment caused by an event.

it was unpredicted

Highlights that something was not predicted.

no one saw it coming

Informal way of stating that an event was completely unexpected.

it was a bolt from the blue

Uses a metaphor to describe a sudden and unexpected event.

it defied expectation

Highlights the action of something not going according to what was expected.

it caught everyone off guard

Emphasizes that something happened when people were unprepared.

FAQs

What does "it was never anticipated" mean?

The phrase "it was never anticipated" means that something happened which was not expected or foreseen. It suggests a lack of prior planning or awareness regarding a specific event or outcome.

What are some alternatives to "it was never anticipated"?

You can use alternatives such as "it wasn't foreseen", "it wasn't expected", or "it came as a surprise" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "it was never anticipated"?

Yes, "it was never anticipated" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

How can I use "it was never anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "it was never anticipated" to describe something that occurred unexpectedly. For example, "The level of public interest in the project was substantial; it was never anticipated."