than was previously expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than was previously expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing an outcome or result to an earlier expectation, often in contexts involving surprises or changes in predictions. Example: "The project's completion took longer than was previously expected, leading to adjustments in the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The company said it would take a pretax charge of $500 million in the second quarter, $50 million more than was previously expected.

The New York Times

The diversity of the nation's children is increasing even faster than was previously expected, said William H. Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

The New York Times

The resulting squeeze will deliver spending in five years' time that is some £8 billion less, in today's money, than was previously expected, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, an independent think-tank.Mr Brown is writing the third act of his lengthy stint as chancellor.

The Economist

The incidence and prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism has increased more than was previously expected and the diagnosis of this disorder has been greatly simplified by the development of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) immunoassay.

Cirugía Española

In this regard, it is not enough to report and/or to project changes in characteristics of these events but also to develop a suite of strategies for resilient responses to new climate conditions that are forthcoming and/or have an increased higher probability than was previously expected.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Interestingly, if a wider range of dietary habits than was previously expected for their brachydonty is early represented in the families, an ancestral mixed condition could have also been feasible.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In an 5 August 2011 PLoS ONE article, researchers estimated that the 2009 H1N1 global infection rate was 11% to 21%, lower than what was previously expected.

Wikipedia

Therefore, the degradation of Hfq-free sRNAs is far more complex than what was previously expected.

BioMed Research International

The ratings agency forecast a 5% drop in investment in 2017 and said that by 2018, investment would be 15% lower than it was previously expecting.

The Guardian - Business

Wall Street has been worried for the last few weeks that the Fed might be looking to pull back on its stimulus sooner than had been previously expected if the economy showed signs of faster-than-expected growth.

The New York Times

This resulted in lower net selling prices than had been previously expected.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than was previously expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the previous expectation was. Providing a specific point of reference enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "than was previously expected" without clearly indicating what the prior expectation actually was. Vague references can confuse readers and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than was previously expected" functions as a comparative conjunction, linking a current state or result to a prior expectation. It introduces an element of surprise or deviation, indicating that something has unfolded differently from what was initially anticipated. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "than was previously expected" serves to highlight a difference between a current outcome and a prior expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts, though its frequency is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific articles, its neutral register allows it to be used broadly. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the original expectation to prevent ambiguity and enhance comprehension. Alternatives include "contrary to prior expectations" or "different from what was anticipated", which may suit different registers or stylistic preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to prior expectations

This alternative employs a more formal tone by utilizing "contrary to" instead of "than", while also rephrasing "previously expected" as "prior expectations".

different from what was anticipated

This alternative shifts the focus to "anticipated" rather than "expected", offering a slightly less formal tone.

exceeding initial forecasts

This alternative focuses on cases where the actual outcome is higher than the expected outcome.

beyond original projections

Replaces "expected" with "projections", suggesting a more data-driven prediction. It also indicates an exceeding of the outcome.

in contrast to initial beliefs

This alternative uses "beliefs" to refer to previous assumptions instead of expectations.

as opposed to earlier predictions

Utilizes "opposed to" and "predictions" for a slightly more emphatic contrast.

unlike what was initially surmised

Shifts to "surmised", implying a less formal or data-driven expectation.

deviating from former assumptions

Uses "deviating" to describe the shift, indicating a departure from earlier assumptions.

at variance with prior estimates

Adopts a more statistical or analytical tone by using "variance" and "estimates".

in disagreement with earlier outlooks

Employs "disagreement" and "outlooks" to convey a sense of conflicting perspectives.

FAQs

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

To achieve a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "contrary to prior expectations" or "deviating from former assumptions". These options provide a more sophisticated and professional feel.

What's a simpler way to express "than was previously expected"?

You can use phrases like "different from what was anticipated" or "unlike what was initially surmised" for a more straightforward and easily understandable phrasing.

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

While not always grammatically required, specifying the prior expectation adds clarity and context. Without it, the statement can become vague and less impactful. Providing context ensures your audience understands the magnitude or direction of the change.

How does "than was previously expected" differ from "beyond original projections"?

"Than was previously expected" is a general comparison, whereas "beyond original projections" specifically implies that the outcome surpassed the initial predictions. The latter is more specific to situations where something exceeds what was anticipated.