not as we expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"not as we expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise, disappointment, or simply to provide commentary on an event or outcome. For example, "We thought the new policy would be a success, but it looks like it wasn't as we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I have never regretted raising prices in the face of significant cost pressures, since we can always course-correct if the outcome is not as we expected," Heinz's chairman and chief executive, William R. Johnson, said last month.

The New York Times

Another one of our real estate investment strategies proved its value, but not as we expected.

Forbes

Push came to shove, but not as we expected.

Huffington Post

It's reasonable to assume that machines did take over, just not as we expected.

Huffington Post

Additional file 1: Figure S9 shows that H19 is expressed but IGF2 is not as we expected.

BMC Genomics

The distribution of income levels was not as we expected; there was a disproportionate number of Italian women who reported having income well below the median and a disproportionate number of Czech women who reported having income around the median.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Frances writes a short story, her first — not, as we expect, about an episode from her own life but about one from Bobbi's.

The New Yorker

"It has not worked as we expected," Valcke said.

The New York Times - Sports

And then when we assessed them this year, we find out that they in fact have not grown as we expected".

The New York Times

The P/E cycles are not stable as we expected.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This finding is not surprising as we expected immediate early impact of IFNα-mediated primary signaling.

Biological Procedures Online

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not as we expected" to politely express surprise or mild disappointment when plans or predictions don't align with reality. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While useful, avoid overusing "not as we expected". Vary your language by using alternatives such as "contrary to our expectations" or "it didn't turn out as planned" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as we expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a deviation from a prior expectation or prediction. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to express a contrast between what was anticipated and what actually occurred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not as we expected" is a versatile phrase used to express a deviation from anticipated outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though varying your language is encouraged to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific literature, indicating its broad applicability. Remember to use it to politely convey surprise or disappointment, signaling a need to adjust expectations or plans. Understanding the nuances of this phrase will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to our expectations

This alternative uses a more formal tone, emphasizing a direct contradiction of expectations.

different from what we anticipated

This phrase focuses on the difference between the actual result and what was anticipated, highlighting the element of surprise.

it didn't turn out as planned

This option is more concise and informal, indicating a deviation from the original plan.

it wasn't what we were hoping for

This phrase emphasizes the element of desire and disappointment, expressing a less favorable outcome.

unexpectedly

This alternative offers a single-word adverb expressing surprise and deviation from the expected course.

things didn't go according to plan

This phrase highlights the disruption of a pre-arranged plan or expectation.

against all predictions

This alternative is more emphatic, suggesting that the outcome contradicted established forecasts or predictions.

it played out differently than we thought

This option uses a more descriptive and narrative tone, emphasizing the unfolding of events in an unforeseen manner.

it proved to be otherwise

This formal alternative indicates that the actual situation contradicted previous assumptions or beliefs.

reality diverged from our expectations

This is a more sophisticated and analytical phrase, highlighting a separation between reality and anticipated results.

FAQs

What does "not as we expected" mean?

The phrase "not as we expected" indicates that something happened in a way that was different from what was anticipated or predicted.

How can I use "not as we expected" in a sentence?

You can use "not as we expected" to describe outcomes that differ from predictions, such as "The project results were "different from what we anticipated", not as we expected."

What are some alternatives to "not as we expected"?

Alternatives include "contrary to our expectations", "it didn't turn out as planned", or "unexpectedly", depending on the context.

Is "not as we expected" formal or informal?

"Not as we expected" is suitable for both formal and informal situations, making it a versatile phrase. However, for more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "contrary to our expectations".