less than the expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than the expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing an actual outcome to a predicted or anticipated outcome, often in contexts such as performance, results, or measurements. Example: "The sales figures for this quarter were less than the expected, leading to a reassessment of our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Producer Price Index for April was 0.5%, in line with expectations, while retail sales grew by only 0.1%, less than the expected rate of 0.5%.

Forbes

By deterring litigation, Pannick predicted, the increase would raise much less than the expected £120m.

The Guardian

But the researchers were intrigued by the strikingly low overall recurrence rate of 17 percent, far less than the expected 30 percent.

The New York Times - Health

But with about three-quarters of the states' redistricting plans complete, the process is producing less than the expected upheaval and only a small set of races that could be highly competitive.

The New York Times

The Coalition's emissions reduction fund is likely to cut Australia's greenhouse gases by about 11% by 2025, far less than the expected target the government is soon to unveil, according to a new analysis.

The Guardian

The 10-year note auction will be around $5 billion, less than the expected $10 billion because of the unscheduled auction on Oct. 4 of $6 billion of additional 10-year notes.

The New York Times

Under the Senate bill, the thresholds would rise with inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index, plus one percentage point — substantially less than the expected rise in health spending and insurance premiums.

The New York Times - Health

The average observed heterozygosity was less than the expected heterozygosity.

Meta Gene

The results of this analysis indicate that the frequency of coolant leakage from Class 1 piping is less than the expected occurrence of an S1-earthquake.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

The field test and commissioning of the cable show that the 10 kA cable performs steadily and its heat loss is less than the expected value.

Cryogenics

The country's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) indicated that prices had risen by 1.1% in September, on an annualized basis, which was less than the expected 1.3% rise.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than the expected", clearly state what the expectation was based on. This provides context and makes the comparison more meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "less than the expected" without providing specific context or data. If the expectation is not clearly defined, the statement can be vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than the expected" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it is smaller or lower in quantity, degree, or value than what was anticipated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than the expected" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an outcome or value is lower than what was predicted or anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, particularly in science, news, and business. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context for the expectation to ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "below expectations" or "smaller than anticipated" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. However, avoid vague statements and always ground the comparison in concrete data or well-defined assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than anticipated

Similar to the original phrase but uses "anticipated" for broader applicability.

below expectations

A more general term indicating that something did not meet the anticipated level.

lower than projected

Highlights the comparison with a specific projected value.

under the predicted amount

Emphasizes a quantitative discrepancy from what was predicted.

smaller than anticipated

Focuses on the size or quantity being lower than expected.

underperformed expectations

Specifically used when referring to the performance of an entity or system.

fell short of projections

Specifically relates to forecasts and predicted values that were not achieved.

did not measure up to forecasts

Highlights a comparison against explicit forecasts or predictions.

disappointing relative to forecasts

Adds a layer of emotional assessment, indicating a negative outcome.

not up to par with expectations

Idiomatic expression suggesting a failure to meet a standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than the expected" to compare an actual outcome with a predicted or anticipated one. For example, "The revenue was "less than the expected" due to unforeseen market conditions."

What are some alternatives to "less than the expected"?

Alternatives include "below expectations", "smaller than anticipated", or "fell short of projections". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to say something is "less than the expected"?

While often used in contexts where results are disappointing, "less than the expected" can also be neutral. For example, "The side effects were "less than the expected"" can indicate a positive outcome in a medical context.

What's the difference between "less than expected" and "below expectations"?

"Less than expected" often refers to a specific numerical comparison, while "below expectations" is a more general term. You might say "The sales were 10% "less than the expected"", or simply "The sales were "below expectations"".