than previously expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than previously expected" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was not what was originally predicted or anticipated. Example: The company's profits were higher than previously expected, leading to a record-breaking quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that some point is coming sooner than previously expected.

The Washington Post

However, it expects the stronger dollar to hurt sales more than previously expected.

The New York Times

Thomas Cook admitted that the impact of the Arab Spring had been greater than previously expected.

The Guardian - Business

As a result, borrowing and debt are forecast to be lower than previously expected.

The Guardian

Executives also indicated that the first quarter would be stronger than previously expected.

The New York Times

Natural gas fell as forecasts called for milder Midwest weather than previously expected.

The New York Times

As a result, profits would be £300m lower than previously expected.

The Guardian - Business

It had discovered evidence of a nuclear programme that was more advanced than previously expected.

The Guardian

Alarmingly, recent studies showed that mercury is an even more wide-spread soil and water pollutant than previously expected.

Harvard University

Britain had emerged from a recession in the third quarter albeit growing slower than previously expected.

The New York Times

"The weakness in underlying activity is likely to be somewhat more persistent than previously expected".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than previously expected", provide context by explaining what the previous expectation was and why the current situation differs.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses when framing the phrase. For instance, ensure the verb associated with the expectation aligns with the past tense (e.g., "was higher than previously expected" instead of "is higher than previously expected" when referring to a past forecast).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than previously expected" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement by indicating a deviation or difference from a prior anticipation. As Ludwig AI states, it shows that something wasn't predicted or expected originally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than previously expected" is a grammatically sound and versatile comparative phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to highlight deviations from prior expectations, forecasts, or beliefs. It's commonly employed in news reporting, scientific publications, and business communications to adjust perceptions based on new information. While applicable in various contexts, its impact is enhanced by specifying the original expectation for clarity. Alternatives include "more than initially anticipated" or "beyond original forecasts", which can add nuance or formality depending on the situation. While usage is straightforward, ensure proper verb tense consistency to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than initially anticipated

Replaces 'expected' with 'anticipated' and 'previously' with 'initially', emphasizing the beginning of the expectation.

surpassing prior expectations

Replaces 'than previously expected' with a more concise and emphatic phrase.

greater than anticipated beforehand

Substitutes 'previously' with 'beforehand', emphasizing the temporal aspect and using 'anticipated' for 'expected'.

beyond original forecasts

Substitutes 'expected' with 'forecasts' and 'previously' with 'original', suggesting a more formal prediction was surpassed.

exceeding earlier projections

Replaces 'expected' with 'projections', implying a formal estimation that has been surpassed.

in excess of original predictions

Highlights exceeding an original prediction, using more formal vocabulary.

contrary to prior belief

Emphasizes the contradiction of a pre-existing belief, shifting the focus from expectation to conviction.

larger than initially estimated

Emphasizes a quantitative difference, focusing on numerical estimates rather than general expectations.

more pronounced than originally thought

Changes the focus to the degree or intensity being greater, using 'thought' instead of 'expected'.

different from what was foreseen

Replaces 'expected' with 'foreseen', highlighting a predictive aspect and using a more literary tone.

FAQs

What does "than previously expected" mean?

It means something is different from what was predicted, anticipated, or thought to be the case earlier. It's commonly used to indicate a change in understanding or outcome.

How can I use "than previously expected" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare a current state or outcome with a past expectation. For example, "The company's profits were higher "than previously expected"." Or, "The project was completed sooner "than previously expected"".

What are some alternatives to "than previously expected"?

Some alternatives include "more than initially anticipated", "beyond original forecasts", or "exceeding earlier projections", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what the previous expectation was when using "than previously expected"?

While not always mandatory, providing context about the original expectation can enhance clarity. If the previous expectation is unclear, specify it to avoid confusion. For instance, instead of saying "Sales were higher "than previously expected"" say, "Sales were higher than the marketing team previously expected".