that were anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to events, outcomes, or situations that were expected or predicted in the past. Example: "The results of the experiment were consistent with the hypotheses that were anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Mr. Fox said that delays and other traffic problems that were anticipated Monday because of the tunnel entrance's closing were kept to a minimum.

The New York Times

And if a nuclear war had broken out at any time in those years the 350,000 who died in the 2004 Tsunami would have been small fry compared with the multiple millions of deaths that were anticipated from even a limited nuclear exchange.

The Guardian

The increase in E-ZPass users above the number that were anticipated will add $54 million in operating costs, which consist mainly of the 4-cent fees, $14 million in higher banking costs to process credit card and check payments from additional customers and $11 million to buy additional transponders, the electronic identifiers in cars that are read by equipment in toll booths.

The New York Times

Obamacare is intensifying the doctor shortage – though not in ways that were anticipated.

Forbes

First, forecasts that never came true are either plain examples of contrafactual futures, i.e. futures that were anticipated but that did not take place.

European Journal of Futures Research

A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money is shed over the next year or two but the business value is rarely achieved at the levels that were anticipated.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

That is not likely to mollify monument opponents, including unions that were anticipating the creation of thousands of construction jobs.

The New York Times

The excitement expressed by Lathan mirrors the excitement of audiences that were anticipating the film.

Huffington Post

"This was a move that was anticipated".

The New York Times

The characters are seldom real and the narrative dawdles along to a finish that is anticipated.

The New York Times

As it turned out, the economy grew at nearly twice the rate that was anticipated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were anticipated", ensure the context clearly establishes who did the anticipating and what their basis for anticipation was. This adds clarity and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on the act of anticipation without clarifying the outcome or result. It's more effective to highlight what happened concerning the anticipated events, not just that they were expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were anticipated" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun being modified (e.g., delays, problems, benefits) had been expected or predicted beforehand. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were anticipated" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. It is used to describe events, outcomes, or situations that were expected or predicted. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its primary function is to modify a noun, providing context about prior expectations. While considered grammatically sound, its formality leans towards neutral to formal contexts. As Ludwig also highlights, common alternatives include phrases such as "that were expected", "that were foreseen", and "that were predicted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had been expected

Replaces "anticipated" with "expected", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

that were foreseen

Uses "foreseen" instead of "anticipated", suggesting a more proactive sense of prediction.

that were predicted

Employs "predicted", implying a more formal or scientific basis for the expectation.

that were planned

Indicates that something was intentionally included in a plan.

that were projected

Suggests a statistical or analytical forecast.

that had been envisioned

Replaces "anticipated" with "envisioned", implying a more imaginative or creative form of expectation.

that were speculated

Suggests an expectation based on conjecture rather than concrete evidence.

that were budgeted

Focuses specifically on financial expectations.

that were bargained for

Implies the expectations were part of negotiations.

that were in the cards

An idiomatic expression suggesting a predictable outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "that were anticipated" in a sentence?

Use "that were anticipated" to describe outcomes, events, or results that someone expected. For example, "The delays "that were anticipated" did not materialize".

What's a good alternative to "that were anticipated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that were expected", "that were foreseen", or "that were predicted", depending on the context.

Is "that were anticipated" formal or informal?

"That were anticipated" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. In very informal settings, you might prefer simpler expressions.

How does "that were anticipated" differ from "that were hoped for"?

"That were anticipated" implies an expectation or prediction based on some form of analysis or prior knowledge, while "that were hoped for" suggests a desired outcome without necessarily expecting it.