than originally expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than originally expected" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare something to the initial or previous expectation. Example: The project was completed in two weeks, which was faster than originally expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Isidore was much less powerful than originally expected.

The New York Times

Costs have been far lower than originally expected.

The New York Times

It also warned that it could receive less from selling assets than originally expected.

The New York Times

He said the company's first quarter was "shaping up to be stronger than originally expected".

The New York Times

Figures yesterday showed the eurozone's services sector activity shrunk more than originally expected in March.

Independent

"Injury doesn't seem as bad as first thought, hopefully be back sooner than originally expected!

Independent

B. J.'s Wholesale Club also predicted earnings for the fourth quarter would be less than originally expected.

The New York Times

Mr. Guericke acknowledged that the service, which has 7.8 million members, had been growing more slowly than originally expected.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Avdeyev also said that the installation of a stage hydraulics system would take longer than originally expected.

The New York Times - Arts

"Growth has been weaker than originally expected due largely to a commodity price shock and the eurozone crisis.

The Guardian - Business

This month, seven years later than originally expected, the iconic part of Calatrava's PATH station finally opened to the public.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than originally expected", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the original expectation was. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "than originally expected" without clearly indicating what the original expectation was. Without this context, the statement loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than originally expected" functions as a comparative element, typically following a statement to indicate that the actual outcome or situation differed from the initial anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "than originally expected" is a versatile and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that an outcome differed from initial anticipations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide a clear reference to the original expectation to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "contrary to initial expectations" can add a more formal tone, while maintaining the phrase's core function of adjusting perceptions based on new information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to initial expectations

Replaces "than originally expected" with a more formal tone, emphasizing a contrast with earlier predictions.

different from what was initially anticipated

Substitutes "expected" with "anticipated", adding a layer of formality and focusing on the element of anticipation.

exceeding initial projections

Focuses on surpassing the original projections, implying a positive deviation from the initial plan.

underperforming initial forecasts

Highlights a situation where the actual outcome is worse than originally forecasted.

at variance with original plans

Emphasizes the divergence from the original plans, using a more formal and structured expression.

deviating from preliminary estimations

Replaces "expected" with "estimations", suggesting a slight adjustment from the initial calculations.

not as initially envisioned

Focuses on the difference between the actual outcome and the initial vision or concept.

contrasting with preliminary assumptions

Emphasizes the contrast with early assumptions, adding a layer of academic or analytical connotation.

varying from baseline predictions

Highlights a change from the baseline predictions, suggesting a deviation from a set standard.

diverging from earlier forecasts

Replaces "expected" with "forecasts", adding a sense of professional analysis or forecasting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "than originally expected" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "contrary to initial expectations" or "different from what was initially anticipated".

Is there a difference between "than originally expected" and "than previously expected"?

While both phrases are similar, "than originally expected" refers specifically to the very first expectation, while "than previously expected" can refer to a more recent expectation that has since changed.

What does it mean when something is "better than originally expected"?

It means that the actual outcome or result is more positive or favorable than what was initially anticipated or predicted. The initial anticipation was not as good as the actual result.

Can "than originally expected" be used in both positive and negative contexts?

Yes, "than originally expected" can be used to describe outcomes that are better, worse, or simply different from what was initially thought. The phrase itself is neutral and gets its connotation from the surrounding context, like "The storm was less severe "than originally expected"".