little expectation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little expectation for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a lack of hope or anticipation regarding a particular outcome or event. Example: "Given the circumstances, there is little expectation for a positive resolution to the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

People who have little expectation for the future live recklessly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said China would take "a period of careful consideration in order to determine the best way forward in dealing with North Korea as a result of this incident," suggesting that there was little expectation for joint action to condemn the attack.

The New York Times

In other words, if the relationship between poverty and aggressive social environments is moderated, then there would be little expectation for lower SES to contribute to prostate cancer risk.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There is, of course, little expectation of privacy for Mr. Obama and his family.

The New York Times

On the streets, Ms. Jacobs and others said, the courts have determined that people should have little expectation of privacy except, for instance, in the case of undue searches.

The New York Times

They have little expectation of being personally rewarded for their efforts.

The New York Times

But they have little expectation of bombshells.

The New York Times

This time there was little expectation of a violent confrontation.

The New York Times

The industry had little expectation of a film being both.

The New York Times

There had been little expectation of a rate hike then.

Los Angeles Times

Parents often have little expectation that their children will care for them when they are elderly, but that does not seem sufficient to defeat the claim that children do in fact have special obligations to care for their parents.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "little expectation for", ensure the context clearly establishes what the lack of expectation pertains to. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "little expectation for" when there is actually strong evidence suggesting a negative outcome. This phrase indicates a lack of anticipation, not a guarantee of failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little expectation for" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a low degree of anticipation or hope. As supported by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It suggests that an outcome is unlikely but not entirely impossible.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little expectation for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a cautious or pessimistic outlook. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and highlights its occurrence in news and scientific contexts. While not extremely common, it serves to manage expectations and suggest a low probability of a positive outcome. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what the lack of expectation refers to, and avoid overstating certainty when there's still a possibility of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight hope for

Replaces "expectation" with "hope" and uses "slight" to convey the minimal amount.

minimal anticipation of

Substitutes "expectation" with "anticipation" and uses "minimal" to emphasize the low level.

scant prospect of

Replaces "expectation" with "prospect" and uses "scant" to indicate a small chance.

remote possibility of

Emphasizes the unlikelihood by using "remote possibility" instead of "expectation".

dim outlook for

Focuses on the pessimistic view by using "dim outlook" to replace "expectation".

negligible chance of

Highlights the insignificance of the chance by using "negligible chance" instead of "expectation".

faint glimmer of hope for

Uses more evocative language to describe a very small amount of hope.

limited confidence in

Shifts the focus to a lack of confidence rather than expectation.

barely any optimism about

Replaces "expectation" with a lack of "optimism".

not much faith in

Expresses a lack of belief or trust, similar to having low expectations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "little expectation for" to sound more optimistic?

To sound more optimistic, you could use phrases like "some hope for", "potential for", or "a chance of", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little expectations for" instead of "little expectation for"?

While "expectations" can be plural, in the phrase "little expectation for", "expectation" is generally used in the singular form to refer to a general lack of anticipation. Using the plural might imply multiple distinct expectations, which could be less clear.

What's the difference between "little expectation for" and "no expectation for"?

"Little expectation for" suggests a minimal amount of hope or anticipation, while "no expectation for" implies a complete absence of hope. The former leaves a small possibility open, while the latter is absolute.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "little expectation for"?

This phrase is suitable in situations where you want to express a cautious or pessimistic outlook, but without completely ruling out the possibility of a positive result. It's common in news, science, and general discussions of uncertain outcomes.