legitimate expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a belief that a certain outcome or treatment is justified based on past actions or policies. Example: "The court ruled that the plaintiff had a legitimate expectation of receiving a fair hearing based on the established procedures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When this season started, that was their only legitimate expectation.

The Guardian - Sport

Obligations to consult can arise where there is a legitimate expectation of consultation.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are saying we have a legitimate expectation of an inquiry, from the minister himself".

The Guardian

This implies that Americans have no legitimate expectation of privacy in their phone or electronic communications.

The New York Times

In such a world, the very notion of a "legitimate expectation of privacy" seems antique.

The Washington Post

507, 511, 19 L.Ed.2d 576 (1967), and provides sanctuary for citizens wherever they have a legitimate expectation of privacy.

Cornell University

The Ninth Circuit found the search to be unreasonable in light of Quon's legitimate expectation of privacy.

Cornell University

But investors "cannot have a legitimate expectation of sharing in the profits of a fraudster," he argued.

The New York Times

Quon argues that his legitimate expectation of privacy extends protection to the parties with whom he is communicating.

Cornell University

Defenders of this technology will say that no one has a legitimate expectation of privacy in public.

The New York Times

It was he who coined the concept of legitimate expectation as a new shield for the citizen against the state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider the specific legal or administrative context when using "legitimate expectation", as its meaning and implications can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate expectation" loosely in casual conversations. It carries a specific legal and administrative weight, so reserve its use for situations where there is a genuine, legally defensible basis for the expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate expectation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a state of anticipation that is considered justifiable or reasonable, especially within legal or administrative frameworks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses a belief in a particular outcome based on established procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legitimate expectation" is a common term, particularly within legal and administrative discourse. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and signifies a reasonable or justifiable anticipation of a specific outcome or treatment based on established procedures or past conduct. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, and academic contexts, with a formal register. When writing, it's crucial to consider the specific legal implications and avoid casual usage. Alternatives like "reasonable expectation" or "justifiable anticipation" can be used in more general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable anticipation

Emphasizes the rationality and justifiability of the expectation.

justifiable anticipation

Highlights that the anticipation is supported by valid reasons or evidence.

valid expectation

Focuses on the legitimacy and legal soundness of the expectation.

well-founded expectation

Suggests that the expectation is based on solid grounds and reliable information.

entitled anticipation

Indicates a sense of deserving or being inherently due for the expectation.

warranted expectation

Implies that the expectation is justified and appropriate given the circumstances.

defensible expectation

Highlights that the expectation can be supported and defended with logical reasoning.

logical anticipation

Focuses on the expectation being a natural and rational conclusion.

permissible anticipation

Indicates that the anticipation is allowed or authorized within specific rules or norms.

due expectation

Emphasizes that the anticipation is owed or rightfully belonging to someone.

FAQs

How is "legitimate expectation" used in legal contexts?

In law, "legitimate expectation" refers to a principle where individuals have a reasonable expectation of a particular outcome or procedure based on past actions or statements of a public authority. It's often invoked in judicial review cases.

What's a common scenario where "legitimate expectation" arises?

A common scenario involves government agencies changing policies or procedures without proper consultation, leading to affected parties claiming a "legitimate expectation" that the previous policy would continue. For example, a change in zoning regulations might affect developers who had a "valid expectation" that their building plans would be approved under the old rules.

How does "legitimate expectation" relate to privacy rights?

The concept of "legitimate expectation" is frequently used when discussing privacy rights, especially in digital contexts. For example, the courts may evaluate whether individuals have a "legitimate expectation of privacy"/s/reasonable+expectation when using certain online services or devices.

What can I say instead of "legitimate expectation" in simpler terms?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reasonable expectation", "justifiable expectation", or "fair expectation" to convey a similar meaning without the legal formality.