they anticipated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they anticipated that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing expectations or predictions about future events or outcomes. Example: "They anticipated that the project would be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

They anticipated that numbers would rise again in 2012/2013.

The Guardian

In doing so, they anticipated that performance on stripe and dip tasks would shed light on broader issues related to spatial perception and how it influences science learning.

CBE Life Sciences Education

But analysts said they anticipated that the calendar would slip further.

The New York Times

They said they anticipated that there would be redundancies, but could not say how many.

The Guardian - Business

Some lawyers in the case said they anticipated that the judge's ruling might result in a rapid verdict.

The New York Times

Those denials did not deter hundreds of office workers and reporters from gathering outside the federal courthouse, where they anticipated that a suspect would be arraigned.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

They anticipate that people will smoke cannabis in pub gardens and that "cannabis social clubs" could meet the demand for Dutch-style dope cafes.

The Guardian

They anticipate that NIH will launch an online publication service "in the near future".

Science Magazine

They anticipate that electric vehicles, industrial efficiencies, bio-fuels and climate-change concerns will turn consumers away from oil.

Huffington Post

They anticipate that transparent and honest feedback will filter out the best ideas and people in the office".

Huffington Post

They anticipate that Clinton will fall short of the needed total by anywhere from 262 to 360 pledged delegates.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they anticipated that" when you want to convey that a group or individuals had a prior expectation or prediction about a future event or outcome. This construction is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they anticipated that" in very informal conversations or casual writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "they thought" or "they expected" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they anticipated that" functions as a clause connector, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a prediction or expectation held by a group or individuals. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they anticipated that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express expectations or predictions. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this, noting its prevalence in news and media and scientific writing. While alternatives like "they expected that" or "they predicted that" exist, "they anticipated that" offers a nuanced way to convey foresight or prior consideration. When writing, consider the formality of the context, reserving it for neutral or formal situations. Be aware of other more casual options if you need them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they expected that

Replaces "anticipated" with a more common synonym, "expected".

they had expected that

Uses the past perfect to emphasize the prior expectation.

they predicted that

Uses "predicted" to suggest a more confident forecast.

they foresaw that

Emphasizes insight or foresight into a future event.

they envisioned that

Suggests a mental image or a clear idea of what would happen.

they assumed that

Implies a belief without concrete proof.

they believed that

Focuses on their conviction or opinion.

they presumed that

Suggests taking something for granted.

they reckoned that

A more informal way of saying they thought or supposed.

they looked forward to that

Indicates a positive expectation of something happening.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they anticipated that"?

You can use alternatives like "they expected that", "they predicted that", or "they foresaw that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they anticipated that" formal or informal?

The phrase "they anticipated that" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler alternatives like "they thought" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

How do I use "they anticipated that" in a sentence?

You can use "they anticipated that" to introduce a clause that expresses a prior expectation. For example, "They anticipated that the project would be completed on time."

What's the difference between "they anticipated that" and "they expected that"?

While similar, "anticipated" often suggests a more thoughtful or proactive consideration of potential outcomes compared to "they expected that".