less expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less expected" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not as anticipated or foreseen. Example: The ending of the novel was less expected than I thought it would be.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Positive emotional expectations were less expected to occur.

Food Quality and Preference

Other answers were less expected.

The New Yorker

If anything, it was even less expected.

Independent

Some problems have been less expected though.

The Guardian - Tech

Less expected is the reaction to the story itself.

The Guardian

The LPs' most significant influence was even less expected.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

At this point, it's probably what the market was more or less expecting.

The Guardian - Film

Ticket income was also less than expected.

The New York Times - Science

Inventories rose 0.1percentt, less than expected.

The New York Times

The drop was less than expected.

The New York Times

U.S. Jobless Claims Down Less Than Expected.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the common or typical expectation is to highlight the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "less expected" when a situation is completely surprising or shocking; consider stronger alternatives like "completely unexpected" or "unforeseen" if the event had virtually no chance of being predicted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less expected" functions as an adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something that was not as anticipated or foreseen. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less expected" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that deviates from typical anticipations. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to communicate a level of surprise, though not necessarily complete astonishment. It’s versatile enough to appear in various contexts, from news and media to scientific discourse, with a neutral register. Remember to clearly establish the typical expectation in your context to make the deviation highlighted by "less expected" more impactful. Alternative expressions like "less anticipated" or "more surprising" can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less anticipated

Synonymous, focusing on the reduced level of anticipation.

quite unanticipated

Focuses on the lack of anticipation, adding a degree of emphasis.

somewhat unforeseen

Highlights the lack of foresight regarding the event or situation.

rather unpredicted

Underscores the inability to predict the occurrence.

more surprising

Emphasizes the element of surprise rather than deviation from expectation.

not really forecast

Implies a failure to predict or foresee the event.

hardly imagined

Stresses the difficulty in conceiving or imagining the possibility.

largely unlooked-for

Highlights that something was not anticipated or searched for.

fairly unhoped-for

Suggests the event was not only unexpected but also not desired.

not on the cards

Suggests that an event was unlikely or impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "less expected" in a sentence?

You can use "less expected" to describe an outcome, result, or event that deviates from what was typically anticipated. For example, "The film's success was "less expected", given its low budget".

What's a good alternative to "less expected"?

Alternatives include "less anticipated", "more surprising", or "somewhat unforeseen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less expected" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less expected" is grammatically correct. It uses "less" as a comparative adjective modifying "expected", indicating a lower degree of anticipation.

When should I use "less expected" versus "unexpected"?

"Less expected" implies a deviation from a general expectation, whereas "unexpected" suggests a complete lack of anticipation. Use "less expected" when something is surprising but not entirely out of the realm of possibility, otherwise use "unexpected".