prevailing expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing expectations" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to expectations that are commonly held or shared by a group, especially those that are seen as the norm. For example, "The prevailing expectations of the community were that all children should attend school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, contrary to prevailing expectations, on the day of the referendum, British voters decided it was time for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

Columbia University

Against prevailing expectations, the 124I PET/CT salivary gland dosimetry yielded a significant increase of the absorbed dose per activity of 20%to30%0% for the lemon-juice stimulation group compared with the non-stimulation group.

EJNMMI Physics

However, the fathers' position in families was challenged if they were unable to provide financially for their families and failed to meet the prevailing expectations of fatherhood and masculinity.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A more recent study reported that prevailing expectations for technical knowledge and challenge, where students have a collective identity of nursing as a hospital-centred profession, were rapidly extinguished during an RACF placement and replaced by a sense of disengagement associated with their perception of routinized patterns of care provision [ 17].

BMC Nursing

The commissioner conceded that appealing for development funding was difficult at a time of enduring global financial crisis, but said he hoped the EU would heed "the prevailing expectations of European citizens when it comes to European development solidarity".

The Guardian

Transgender is often used to refer to people who "do not conform to prevailing expectations about gender" by presenting and living genders that were not assigned to them at birth or by presenting and living genders in ways that may not be readily intelligible in terms of more traditional conceptions of gender.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is a prevailing expectation in today's student body that their university education should make them "work-ready".

The Guardian - Opinion

Given this prevailing expectation, what do you do if you have no desire to broaden your responsibilities?

Harvard Business Review

The prevailing expectation is that the Indians will soon strike a punitive blow, perhaps against the militants' training camps in the Pakistan-controlled area of the disputed state.

The New York Times

The supreme court move took legal experts by surprise, as the prevailing expectation was that the justices would simply delay making a decision, rather than turn the appeals away.

The Guardian

The number of violent crimes in the United States dropped significantly last year, to what appeared to be the lowest rate in nearly 40 years, a development that was considered puzzling partly because it ran counter to the prevailing expectation that crime would increase during a recession.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prevailing expectations", ensure that the context clearly defines the group or society holding those expectations to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "prevailing expectations" are universally shared; acknowledge that dissenting viewpoints or alternative expectations may exist within the described group or society.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing expectations" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the set of common beliefs or anticipations within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing expectations" is a noun phrase used to describe widely held beliefs or anticipations. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and finds use across various fields. While relatively uncommon, its usage spans News & Media, Science and Academic writing, signaling a generally neutral to formal register. This phrase helps in setting a context for discussing outcomes or decisions relative to what is commonly anticipated, but remember to avoid assuming universal agreement and acknowledge differing viewpoints. Related phrases include "common assumptions" and "widespread notions", offering nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common assumptions

Replaces "expectations" with "assumptions", focusing on what is generally believed to be true.

typical anticipations

Replaces "prevailing" with "typical", indicating expectations that are considered standard or usual.

widespread notions

Replaces "expectations" with "notions", highlighting commonly accepted ideas or concepts.

popular perceptions

Highlights how something is commonly viewed or understood by the public.

general beliefs

Substitutes both "prevailing" and "expectations" with broader terms, emphasizing widely held convictions.

conventional wisdom

Replaces the entire phrase with a single term that denotes widely accepted beliefs or ideas.

established views

Emphasizes opinions or beliefs that have been firmly accepted over time.

current outlook

Shifts the focus from expectations to the present perspective or prediction about the future.

accepted norms

Focuses on standards of behavior or thought that are generally agreed upon.

dominant ideologies

Highlights the leading set of beliefs or principles that shape thought and behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "prevailing expectations" to describe what is commonly anticipated or believed within a specific context. For example, "Contrary to "prevailing expectations", the company's profits increased."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing expectations"?

Alternatives include "common assumptions", "general beliefs", or "widespread notions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prevailing expectations" or "dominant expectations"?

Both "prevailing expectations" and "dominant expectations" are acceptable, but "prevailing" suggests what is currently common, while "dominant" implies a stronger influence or control.

What's the difference between "prevailing expectations" and "pervasive expectations"?

"Prevailing expectations" refers to what is currently common or widespread, while "pervasive expectations" suggests that the expectations are deeply ingrained or widespread throughout a system or society.