should be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be expected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can typically use it when something is likely or predictable, often as a result of a prior occurrence. For example, "Rain should be expected during the wet season."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So rows should be expected.

The Economist

Wins should be expected.

The Guardian - Sport

This should be expected, of course.

The New York Times

Perhaps it should be expected, however.

The New Yorker

Regular stumbles should be expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, much more should be expected.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

No early victory should be expected.

The New York Times

But nothing should be expected in return.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, a cool-off should be expected.

The Washington Post

In fact, it should be expected.

The Washington Post

PP should be expected mainly during childhood and pubertal age.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be expected" when you want to convey that something is likely to happen based on prior knowledge, patterns, or circumstances. Ensure the context clearly supports the expectation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "should be expected" if an active voice provides a clearer and more direct expression. For example, instead of "Delays should be expected", consider "Expect delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be expected" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a prediction or likelihood. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts, suggesting something is anticipated based on present conditions or established patterns. It's grammatically correct as per Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

54%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be expected" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express predictability or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. While it's generally suitable for professional and neutral registers, writers should avoid overuse to maintain clarity and directness. Remember to leverage this phrase when indicating reasonable anticipation, and consider alternative expressions to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is to be anticipated

Replaces "should be" with "is to be", altering the modal verb but retaining the sense of anticipation.

can be anticipated

Substitutes "should be" with "can be", suggesting possibility rather than obligation.

is likely to occur

Replaces the modal verb construction with a direct statement of likelihood.

is prone to happen

Indicates a tendency for something to occur, emphasizing a pre-existing disposition.

is bound to happen

Suggests inevitability, implying that something will definitely occur.

one might anticipate

Shifts the perspective to a hypothetical observer, softening the assertion.

is reasonable to assume

Focuses on the justification for expecting something, rather than the expectation itself.

it is foreseeable

Highlights the predictability of an event, using a more formal tone.

one would assume

Emphasizes the act of assuming based on available information.

is within the realm of possibility

Indicates that something is possible, but not necessarily probable.

FAQs

How can I use "should be expected" in a sentence?

Use "should be expected" to indicate that something is likely or predictable based on current conditions or past events. For example, "Given the current economic climate, a slowdown in growth "should be expected"".

What are some alternatives to "should be expected"?

You can use alternatives like "is to be anticipated", "is likely to occur", or "can be anticipated" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "should be expected" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider whether a more direct or active construction would be clearer and more impactful in formal writing. Sometimes, rephrasing to use an active voice can enhance clarity.

What is the difference between "should be expected" and "must be expected"?

"Should be expected" implies a high probability based on circumstances, while "must be expected" suggests inevitability or a requirement. The choice depends on the strength of the expectation.