not expected before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not expected before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is anticipated to occur after a certain point in time or event. Example: "The delivery of the package is not expected before next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, as more complex metabolic interactions are developed within polymorphic populations, new phenotypes that were not expected before are likely to emerge.

BMC Systems Biology

Results were not expected before Monday.

The New York Times

Publication is not expected before March.

The Economist

Final action is not expected before June.

The Washington Post

Unofficial results were not expected before Monday.

The New York Times

Completion is not expected before 2008.

The New York Times

Official results are not expected before Tuesday.

The New York Times

Definitive results are not expected before Monday.

The New York Times

The findings are not expected before June.

The New York Times - Science

Confirmation of the result was not expected before 2am.

The Guardian

A vote on the measure is not expected before June.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not expected before" to clearly set expectations regarding timing. This helps avoid misunderstandings and provides a timeframe for anticipated events or outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "not expected before" without specifying a clear timeframe. Saying "results are not expected before long" is vague. Instead, provide a specific date or event, such as "results are not expected before next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not expected before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an event or action is anticipated to occur. It sets a temporal boundary, specifying that something will not happen prior to a certain point in time. Ludwig confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not expected before" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate the earliest possible time for an event or outcome. Ludwig highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When using the phrase, ensure that you provide a clear timeframe to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "not anticipated until" or "unlikely before" can be used to add nuance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct and commonly used in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not anticipated until

Focuses on anticipation and a specific future time.

not due until

Emphasizes a deadline or scheduled time.

will not happen until

Directly states the timing of an event.

unlikely before

Highlights the improbability of something occurring earlier.

cannot occur prior to

Formal phrasing emphasizing a condition for occurrence.

not to be anticipated sooner than

Emphasizes that nothing should be expected sooner than a specified time.

no sooner than

Shorter phrase indicating the earliest possible time.

later than

Specifies the latest possible time something can occur.

after

Simple term indicating a time that follows something else.

not scheduled until

Indicates an event has been scheduled to occur at a later date.

FAQs

How can I use "not expected before" in a sentence?

Use "not expected before" to indicate that something will happen no sooner than a specific time. For example, "The final decision is "not expected before" 2025".

What phrases are similar to "not expected before"?

Similar phrases include "not anticipated until", "not due until", or "unlikely before". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "not expected until" instead of "not expected before"?

Both phrases are generally correct, but "not expected before" emphasizes the earliest possible time, while "not expected until" emphasizes the latest possible time. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "not expected before" and "not anticipated before"?

"Not expected before" is more common and general, while "not anticipated before" implies a degree of planning or prediction. Both are valid, but "not expected before" is often preferred in everyday language.