they are expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a belief or assumption about what someone should do or is required to do in a particular situation. Example: "In this project, they are expected to meet all deadlines and maintain high-quality standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are expected to survive.

The New York Times

But they are expected to grow.

The Economist

They are expected to arrive later today.

Independent

They are expected to dress well.

The New York Times

They are expected to report within weeks.

The Economist

They are expected to make $1.9 billion.

The Economist

They are expected to continue on Tuesday.

Independent

They are expected to shine.

The New York Times - Sports

This year they are expected to near $131 billion.

The Economist

They are expected to weaken further.

The Guardian

They are expected to depart on Saturday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are expected to" when conveying a strong belief or anticipation about a future event or action. Ensure the context clearly supports the expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "they are expected to" when the expectation is unrealistic or unsupported by evidence. Overstating expectations can lead to disappointment and mistrust. For example, instead of saying, "They are expected to solve all the company's problems in a week", use a more realistic and data-backed claim, such as "They are "anticipated to" address the primary issues within the next quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are expected to" functions as a modal expression indicating anticipation, prediction, or requirement. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from expected arrivals to projected financial outcomes. The core function involves conveying an anticipation based on present information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are expected to" is a versatile phrase used to express anticipation, prediction, or requirement across various contexts. As evidenced by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When writing, use this phrase to clearly convey expectations, but ensure those expectations are realistic and supported by evidence. Alternatives such as "they are anticipated to" or "they are likely to" can be used to provide nuance. Overall, mastering the appropriate use of "they are expected to" will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are anticipated to

This alternative uses 'anticipated' instead of 'expected', suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

they are due to

This suggests an obligation or scheduled occurrence.

they are projected to

Using 'projected' suggests a forecast based on current data or trends.

it is predicted that they will

This expresses a prediction with 'it is predicted', emphasizing a forecast rather than an expectation.

they are likely to

This indicates a high probability, suggesting that something is probable but not guaranteed.

they are slated to

This indicates a scheduled or planned event, with a strong sense of certainty.

they are supposed to

This suggests a requirement or obligation, indicating what is considered proper or necessary.

it is believed that they will

This alternative replaces "expected" with "believed", emphasizing the opinion or conviction behind the expectation.

one anticipates they will

This phrase offers a more formal and impersonal way of expressing expectation, using "one anticipates".

it is foreseen that they will

This emphasizes the act of foreseeing or predicting, often in a more formal or prophetic context.

FAQs

How can I use "they are expected to" in a sentence?

You can use "they are expected to" to describe an anticipated future action or state. For example, "They are expected to arrive tomorrow" indicates an anticipated arrival.

What's the difference between "they are expected to" and "they are supposed to"?

"They are expected to" implies a strong anticipation or prediction, while "they are supposed to" indicates an obligation or requirement. The nuance lies in whether it's an anticipation or a duty.

What can I say instead of "they are expected to"?

You can use alternatives like "they are anticipated to", "they are projected to", or "they are likely to" depending on the context.

Is "they're expected to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they're expected to" is grammatically correct. It is simply a contraction of "they are expected to". Both forms are acceptable in writing, but the contracted form is more common in informal speech.