lack of expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of expectations" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone's expectations not being met or when talking about a situation that lacks expectations. For example: "My boss had very low expectations, so her lack of expectations was easily met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

There were some disappointments, despite the lack of expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

The lack of expectations is evident even in areas where the president is supposed to be deeply engaged.

The New York Times

The lack of expectations made his brief-yet-phenomenal stay with the Mets at spring training all the more surprising.

The New York Times

Treating voice problems in neurodegenerative diseases is a controversial topic due to the lack of expectations of achieving complete functional recovery or long-lasting improvement.

Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología

But going into the meetings, both the Taliban and many old Northern Alliance leaders were clear about their lack of expectations.

The New York Times

"The first step is to set higher expectations, and too many states have low or a lack of expectations to respond to the new global competitiveness". Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, a strong proponent of more testing to measure how effectively schools are teaching, said she was not surprised by the findings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

There is a perfect storm of doctors struggling to provide the service they wish to because of a lack of resources, combined with increasing expectations.

The Guardian

She was only the eleventh woman to do so, and never expected it; a lack of expectation that was in itself a kind of artistic freedom, for if you don't think of yourself as an august personage, you don't have to behave yourself.

The Guardian - Books

"The big advantage of coming from my generation was the lack of expectation of making a fortune out of it".

The Guardian - Arts

"The lack of expectation is what made it fun and honest".

The New York Times

Wade, however, sees the lack of expectation as an advantage for Postecoglou.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of expectations", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning. It can imply either a realistic assessment of a situation or a negative, limiting mindset. Consider the impact of choosing this phrase over alternatives like "absence of anticipation" depending on whether you want to emphasize a realistic assessment or something negative.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of expectations" when a more specific phrase could better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying there's a "lack of expectations" for a project's success, consider specifying whether there's a "fear of failure" or a "realistic assessment of limitations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of expectations" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the absence of anticipated outcomes or anticipated success. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase is used to describe situations where positive anticipation is absent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of expectations" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes situations where anticipation or hope for positive outcomes is absent. As Ludwig shows, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts ranging from news and media to science and professional settings. While versatile, it's important to consider if more nuanced language might better convey the intended meaning, such as differentiating between a realistic assessment and a pessimistic outlook. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, reflecting its utility in objective reporting and analysis. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in both formal and informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no anticipation

A direct and simple way to express the non-existence of anticipation.

absence of anticipation

Focuses on the complete absence of any form of expecting something.

pessimistic outlook

Highlights a negative or unfavorable view about the future.

bleak outlook

Presents a grim or discouraging perspective.

lowered anticipations

Implies that previous expectations were reduced to a lower level.

dearth of hope

Emphasizes the scarcity of positive feelings or prospects.

absence of hope

Emphasizes a total absence of hope.

diminished hopes

Indicates that initial hopes have decreased in strength or likelihood.

limited prospects

Suggests that opportunities or potential outcomes are restricted.

absence of belief

Highlights a lack of faith or confidence in a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of expectations" to describe situations where there is no anticipation of success or positive outcomes. For example, "The team's "lack of expectations" allowed them to play without pressure".

What is a more formal alternative to "lack of expectations"?

A more formal alternative to "lack of expectations" is "absence of anticipation". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when someone says there is a "lack of expectations"?

A "lack of expectations" generally means that there is no anticipation or hope for a positive outcome. It can also imply a realistic assessment of limited possibilities.

How does "lack of expectations" differ from "low expectations"?

"Lack of expectations" implies a complete absence of anticipation, while "low expectations" suggests some anticipation, but at a minimal level.