prior expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior expectations" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing beliefs or assumptions held before an event or situation occurs. Example: "The results were surprising, given our prior expectations." Alternative expressions include "previous expectations" and "earlier expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GME said fiscal fourth-quarter results will come in above prior expectations due to higher-than-expected holiday demand and strong follow-through in January.

Forbes

The agency also expects the global economy to shrink by 1.9% in 2010, compared with prior expectations of 3.0% growth.

Forbes

It also said that April sales should top prior expectations.

The New York Times

"The brain as an organ of prediction is founded on prior expectations," she explains.

The Guardian - Books

And our prior expectations are often set up to disadvantage women: we don't associate them with artistic greatness.

The Guardian - Books

The researchers name this phenomenon the 'Barack Obama Blindness (BOB) Effect, and explain it in terms of the participants' prior expectations.

The Guardian

These hubs impose a top-down control on our awareness, integrating sensory inputs and prior expectations into a coherent, organised and censored experience of the world.

The Guardian

The impact can be seen in this figure which shows the prior expectations of the climate (dashed line) alongside the revised prediction (solid).

The Guardian

Appropriate prior expectations on the attenuation coefficients are incorporated into MLAA.

EJNMMI Physics

The choice of these priors expressed the absence of genuine prior expectations on the parameter values.

Crime Science

This is ahead of our prior expectations and could surprise the Street".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about research or experiments, clearly state your "prior expectations" before presenting the results to provide context for any surprises or confirmations.

Common error

Avoid using "prior expectations" when you actually mean hopes or desires. "Prior expectations" should refer to what you genuinely anticipated, not what you wished would happen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior expectations" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes beliefs or assumptions held before a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior expectations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes beliefs or assumptions held before an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from formal scientific writing to news reporting. It is important to differentiate "prior expectations" from desires or hopes and to use it accurately to provide context and meaning to discussions about outcomes and results. Alternatives such as "initial assumptions" or "preconceived notions" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pre-existing expectations

An alternative phrasing, very close in meaning but slightly more formal.

prospective expectations

Emphasizes looking forward to or anticipating something in the future.

initial assumptions

Focuses on the assumptions made at the beginning of a process or situation.

earlier predictions

Specifically refers to expectations that involve forecasting future outcomes.

preconceived notions

Emphasizes the idea that these expectations might be based on incomplete or biased information.

existing anticipations

Stresses the current state of having these expectations.

previous beliefs

Highlights that the expectations are rooted in previously held beliefs.

established presumptions

Suggests that the expectations are well-established and widely accepted.

incumbent expectations

Focuses on expectations that come with a particular role or position.

historical outlook

Focuses on expectations based on past events or trends.

FAQs

How do I use "prior expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "prior expectations" to describe beliefs or assumptions held before an event or situation. For example, "The company's earnings exceeded our "prior expectations"."

What are some alternatives to "prior expectations"?

Alternatives include "initial assumptions", "preconceived notions", or "previous beliefs", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "prior expectations" or "previous expectations"?

"Prior expectations" and "previous expectations" are often interchangeable. However, "prior" suggests a logical or temporal precedence, while "previous" simply refers to something that came before.

How do "prior expectations" influence perception and interpretation?

"Prior expectations" can significantly influence how we perceive new information. Schema theory, for example, suggests that information matching our "prior expectations" is more easily stored and recalled.