match the expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"match the expectations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about achieving the standards that are expected of something or someone. For example, "The new product has managed to match the expectations of our customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Eliot, for one, was full of praise, but the novel did not match the expectations inspired by Fitzgerald's celebrity.

The Guardian - Books

EcoWorld and Ballymore are not alone in pimping up their developments to match the expectations of this new kind of client.

The Guardian - Arts

The same methods can also ferret out how intertextuality can work on a more unconscious level, silently directing a writer to select particular word combinations to match the expectations of the appropriate genre.

The New York Times - Books

BURRELL OWNS METS Pat Burrell may never match the expectations that accompanied his arrival into the major leagues in 2000, but his success against the Mets places him in Hall of Fame company.

The New York Times - Sports

Great things were predicted for him the following day and some great things came but sadly only a few on the international stage to match the expectations his composed, intelligent and classy innings had ignited at Lord's that evening.

The Guardian - Sport

"The company is worth what someone will pay for it, and if that does not match the expectations of the shareholders, that will be the end of that for a while".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Unfortunately, little of great political courage or imagination was done during these years to match the expectation of many of Labour's grassroots supporters.

The Guardian

Watching Miranda fall for Ferdinand, he mutters: "It goes on, I see, as my soul prompts it," as if the reality does not match the expectation.

The Guardian

The writing life is an anxious, competitive, and disappointing one ("Life is so constructed that the event does not, cannot, match the expectation," Charlotte Brontë wrote).

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, the experimental results only partially match the expectation.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The results of our simulations match the expectation.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "match the expectations" when you want to convey that something has met a predefined standard or forecast. Be clear about whose expectations are being matched to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "match the expectations" is always positive. Sometimes, expectations are unrealistically high. Use it precisely to reflect whether those specific expectations, regardless of their nature, have been met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "match the expectations" functions as a verb phrase where "match" is the verb and "the expectations" is the object. The phrase indicates a fulfillment or alignment with what was anticipated or predicted. Ludwig's examples show how it is used to describe outcomes, performances, or results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "match the expectations" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the fulfillment or alignment of an outcome with anticipated standards. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While its register is neutral, understanding the context is crucial to accurately interpret the phrase's implications, as it can denote success, failure, or neutrality. Remember to clarify whose expectations are being matched and to avoid assuming it always carries a positive connotation. Related phrases like "meet the expectations" and "live up to the expectations" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet the expectations

Replaces "match" with "meet", indicating fulfillment rather than direct equivalence.

live up to the expectations

Emphasizes the effort to reach the expectations.

satisfy the expectations

Focuses on providing what was expected.

fulfill the expectations

Highlights the action of completing or achieving what was anticipated.

align with the expectations

Indicates a close agreement or correspondence with what was expected.

conform to the expectations

Suggests adherence to established expectations.

measure up to the expectations

Implies a judgment against expectations.

equal the expectations

Suggests that the result or outcome is of the same level or quality as what was anticipated.

reach the anticipated level

Focuses on attaining a specific standard that was previously expected.

accord with the outlook

Highlights a harmonious agreement with a previously stated outlook or forecast.

FAQs

How can I use "match the expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "match the expectations" to describe something that fulfills anticipated outcomes or standards, such as "The product's performance "matched the expectations" of the consumers."

What's the difference between "meet the expectations" and "match the expectations"?

"Meet the expectations" implies fulfilling a minimum requirement, while "match the expectations" suggests a closer, more precise alignment with what was anticipated. "Meet the expectations" focuses on satisfaction; "Match the expectations" on mirroring.

What can I say instead of "match the expectations"?

Alternatives include "live up to the expectations", "satisfy the expectations", or "fulfill the expectations", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive when something "matches the expectations"?

Not necessarily. While often positive, if expectations are low or negative, "match the expectations" can imply an undesirable outcome. For example, "The company's poor results "matched the expectations" following the scandal".