than we anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

"than we anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare what you expected to happen to what actually happened. For example, "The earnings report was much better than we anticipated, showing a significant increase in profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's more than we anticipated," he said.

The New York Times

"That's lower than we anticipated," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

It's far more subtle and sophisticated than we anticipated.

The Guardian

"And it's taken significantly less time than we anticipated".

The New York Times

But this year, it's quicker than we anticipated.

The New York Times

"The Eocene is a much greater dept than we anticipated," said the division manager.

The New Yorker

Investec said: "[The] pre-close update highlights a stronger margin performance than we anticipated.

The Guardian - Business

"It looks like he's going to be back a lot sooner than we anticipated," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

A player like Rickey Gutierrez was probably missed more than we anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

He said: "We are disappointed that it has taken longer than we anticipated.

The Guardian

"Our brand has recovered a lot faster than we anticipated," Mr. Braddock said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than we anticipated", ensure your sentence clearly establishes what the original expectation was for context. This makes the comparison more meaningful and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "than we anticipated" without specifying who the "we" refers to. Clarity prevents misinterpretation and strengthens your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than we anticipated" functions as a comparative element, typically used within a clause to highlight a difference between an expectation and a realized outcome. It modifies the degree or extent of a preceding adjective or adverb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than we anticipated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a divergence between expectations and actual results. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It is found most commonly in news and media, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "more than we expected" and "contrary to our expectations". When employing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying to whom "we" refers and what initial expectation was set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than we expected

Focuses on the deviation from what was expected, emphasizing the actual outcome versus the initial expectation.

contrary to our expectations

Highlights a direct contradiction between the anticipated outcome and what actually occurred.

different from what we foresaw

Emphasizes the difference from a prior vision or prediction, suggesting foresight that did not align with reality.

beyond our initial thoughts

Indicates that something exceeded the initial scope of consideration or planning.

exceeded our projections

Specifically refers to exceeding quantitatively defined expectations or forecasts.

in excess of our forecasts

Similar to exceeding projections but may carry a slightly more formal or statistical tone.

larger than our initial assessment

Highlights that initial understanding or valuation was less than the actual reality.

a departure from our predictions

Suggests a significant deviation or divergence from a prior prediction or estimate.

unlike what we had envisioned

Focuses on a disparity between a prior vision or mental image and the reality that unfolded.

other than what we bargained for

Implies that the outcome or result included unexpected and possibly undesirable elements.

FAQs

How can I use "than we anticipated" in a sentence?

Use "than we anticipated" to show a contrast between an expectation and an outcome. For example, "The project finished earlier "than we anticipated", which was a pleasant surprise".

What are some alternatives to "than we anticipated"?

You can use phrases like "more than we expected", "contrary to our expectations", or "different from what we foresaw" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who "we" refers to when using "than we anticipated"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who "we" refers to improves clarity. If the context doesn't make it obvious, providing a specific reference avoids confusion.

How does "than we anticipated" differ from "than we predicted"?

"Than we predicted" implies a formal forecast or prediction, while "than we anticipated" suggests a general expectation. The former is more suitable in analytical contexts, the latter in general statements.