that was expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that was expected' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something was anticipated or foreseen to happen. For example: "The sales results were exactly as expected - the marketing campaign really paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It produced some of the little that was expected.

The Economist

Partly because when I was a boy, that was expected almost.

The New York Times

Effectively, they did the job that was expected of banks and government regulators.

The New York Times

She did everything that was expected of her, and it cost her dearly.

The New Yorker

I could also become a novelist if this was all that was expected".

The Guardian - Books

Further Education, however, fortunately escaped the rather brutal chop that was expected.

The Guardian

Tonight he attended a fund-raiser that was expected to bring in $2.6 million.

The New York Times

Finishing third is no big deal if no more than that was expected of you.

The New York Times

Those losses may linger for a team that was expected to be more consistent.

The New York Times

The hiatus will include "Cry Macho," a movie that was expected to begin production in August.

The New York Times

Did they come in with the base of knowledge that was expected of them?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When something wasn't expected, emphasize this by saying, "that wasn't expected", to highlight the surprise or deviation from predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "that was expected" when you actually mean "that was desired" or "that was hoped for". "Expected" implies anticipation based on knowledge or evidence, while "desired" or "hoped for" implies a wish or preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was expected" functions as a commentary or assessment on a situation or outcome. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples showing how the phrase is used to indicate that something occurred as anticipated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was expected" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of surprise or to confirm a prior expectation. It serves as a commentary, signaling that an event occurred as predicted. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, but most frequently appears in News & Media sources. While generally neutral in tone, it adds valuable context by emphasizing the predictability of the event. As validated by Ludwig AI, remember that this expression focuses on predictability, differentiating it from phrases expressing hope or desire. Remember also that the expression is a commentary or assessment on a situation or outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was anticipated

Replaces "expected" with a synonym that emphasizes the act of predicting something beforehand.

that was foreseen

Implies a clearer vision or prediction of the event, suggesting it was known in advance.

that was predicted

Uses a more formal term for expectation, suitable for contexts where precision is important.

that was anticipated

A formal and polite way to say something was expected, often used in professional settings.

that was no surprise

Shifts the focus to the lack of astonishment, implying the event was fully predictable.

that outcome was predictable

Specifies that it was the outcome that was predictable, providing a subtle shift in emphasis.

that was to be expected

Adds a sense of inevitability to the expectation, implying it was almost unavoidable.

that was in the cards

An idiomatic expression suggesting the event was predetermined or destined to happen.

that figured

An informal way of saying something was expected, often with a tone of resignation.

that was on the horizon

Highlights the fact that the event was visible or anticipated well in advance.

FAQs

How can I use "that was expected" in a sentence?

You can use "that was expected" to indicate an outcome or result that was foreseen or anticipated. For example, "The company's profits declined, but "that was expected" due to the recent market downturn".

What's a more formal alternative to "that was expected"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that was anticipated", "that was foreseen", or "that was predicted".

Is it grammatically correct to say "that was expected"?

Yes, "that was expected" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" (was) followed by the past participle of the verb "expect", forming a passive construction.

What's the difference between "that was expected" and "that was hoped for"?

"That was expected" implies an anticipation based on prior knowledge or predictions. "That was hoped for", on the other hand, suggests a desired outcome, regardless of whether it was actually likely. The former focuses on predictability, while the latter focuses on desire. For example, "that was hoped for" but not delivered.