sell expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sell expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the act of promoting or marketing anticipated outcomes or results, often in business or sales settings. Example: "In order to attract investors, we need to sell expectations about our future growth and profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We didn't sell expectations," Beane told reporters last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the new cars sold below expectations.

The New York Times

The hanging mobile by Calder that followed sold below expectations, for $1.48 million.

The New York Times - Arts

"The hotel is full every day; the restaurants are selling beyond expectations.

The New York Times

"Despite the recession, we're still selling above expectations because we're promoting optimism," Mr. Brantly says.

The New York Times

"Almost every biotech drug is selling above expectations, and the reason is these are better drugs," he said.

The New York Times

But in spite of the presence of Prada-clad international collectors, it was a tepid start, with a few strong prices and many works selling below expectations.

The New York Times

"Can you imagine what Diana would have been in this Internet, blogging, Paris Hilton kind of world?" Still, he added, the softcover version of the Diana book, priced at $10.99, "is selling above expectations".

The New York Times

Yesterday, Mrs. A cited statistics -- 20percentt higher worldwide television ratings than the previous Games in Sydney, Australia; four billion viewers around the world; nearly 3.6 million tickets sold, beating expectations by more than 101percentt.

The New York Times - Sports

Shares on Wall Street rose sharply on Friday in response to a decline in oil prices, speculation that Lehman Brothers might be sold and expectations that the federal government would soon reaffirm its support for the troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The New York Times

Demand for Treasuries increased, analysts said, when the yield on the benchmark 10-year note rose above 4.40percentt, causing some traders to buy back securities they had borrowed and sold on expectations that prices would fall -- a process known as short covering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sell expectations" when you want to convey the idea of actively promoting future possibilities or anticipated results, especially in a business or marketing context. It suggests a proactive effort to shape perceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "sell expectations" when the anticipated outcomes are unrealistic or misleading. It can create distrust if the expectations are not grounded in reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sell expectations" functions as a verbal phrase where "sell" acts as a transitive verb, taking "expectations" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sell expectations" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of promoting anticipated outcomes, primarily found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not very common, it effectively conveys the idea of actively shaping perceptions of future possibilities, especially in business or marketing. Related phrases include "manage expectations" and "promote future prospects". Use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the expectations you "sell" are realistic and transparent to maintain trust and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Market anticipated results

Directly relates to promoting expected outcomes, similar to selling a product.

Manage expectations

Focuses on controlling and guiding what people anticipate, rather than actively promoting it.

Set expectations

Emphasizes the act of establishing a baseline for future performance or outcomes.

Communicate potential

Highlights the act of conveying possible future achievements or capabilities.

Promote future prospects

Highlights the positive aspects of what is to come, similar to "selling" the idea.

Raise expectations

Implies increasing the level of anticipation or what is expected.

Project future outcomes

Emphasis on predicting, instead of promoting, potential results.

Create anticipation

Concentrates on generating excitement and expectation for something.

Foster anticipation

Suggests nurturing and encouraging the growth of expectations.

Build hype

Focuses on generating excitement and buzz around a product or event.

FAQs

What does "sell expectations" mean?

The phrase "sell expectations" refers to the act of promoting or marketing anticipated outcomes or results, often in a business or sales setting. It's about creating a positive outlook on future prospects to gain support or investment.

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

You can use it to describe how a company is trying to attract investors by "selling expectations" about future growth and profitability.

What are some alternatives to "sell expectations"?

Alternatives include "manage expectations", "promote future prospects", or "market anticipated results", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "selling expectations" ethical in business?

It can be, but it's crucial to be transparent and honest about the prospects. Misleading or unrealistic "selling expectations" can lead to distrust and damage a company's reputation.