than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'than expected' is a correct and usable part of English.
You can use it to express that something happened more/less (or in a different way) than what was anticipated or predicted. Example: The exam results were better than expected, so we were all very pleased.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is that higher than expected?

Independent

That was lower than expected.

The New York Times

Attendance was smaller than expected.

The New Yorker

That has happened more slowly than expected.

The Economist

The result was worse than expected.

The Economist

Elsewhere, Mr. Santorum does better than expected.

The New York Times

"The lending number was bigger than expected.

The New York Times

Japan's economy expands faster than expected.

The New York Times

Deferrals go on longer than expected.

The Economist

It just took longer than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Both figures were higher than expected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than expected", ensure that the comparison is clear. Specify what the actual outcome is being compared to, and make sure the context is not ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "than expected" without establishing what the expectation was. Without context, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than expected" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically following a comparative adjective or adverb. It indicates a comparison between an actual outcome and a previously anticipated or predicted one. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "than expected" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey a deviation from anticipation. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a common expression. As illustrated by the examples provided, it’s frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki, with neutral formality. For best usage, ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Common errors include using it without providing the necessary context. Alternative phrases include "contrary to expectations" and "more than anticipated" for similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to expectations

Emphasizes a direct contradiction of what was predicted.

against all expectations

Highlights a stronger level of surprise and improbability.

more than anticipated

Focuses on exceeding a specific quantity or degree that was foreseen.

better than anticipated

Specifies a positive outcome that surpasses previous predictions.

exceeding expectations

Highlights surpassing anticipated standards or goals.

beyond what was foreseen

Indicates something happening outside the scope of original predictions.

in excess of predictions

Highlights a surplus compared to the predicted amount.

surpassing predictions

Focuses on going beyond the initial forecasted values.

to a greater extent than foreseen

Adds formality by emphasizing the degree to which something occurred beyond initial expectations.

unexpectedly

Simply highlights something that was not expected.

FAQs

How to use "than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "than expected" to indicate that an outcome, result, or quantity differed from what was anticipated. For example, "The project finished earlier than expected", or "The turnout was lower than expected".

What can I say instead of "than expected"?

You can use alternatives like "contrary to expectations", "more than anticipated", or "unexpectedly" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "than expected"?

Yes, "than expected" is grammatically correct. It's a standard construction used to make comparisons between actual results and anticipated results.

What's the difference between "than expected" and "as expected"?

"Than expected" indicates that something deviated from the anticipated outcome, whereas "as expected" indicates that something happened in line with the anticipated outcome.