they were anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expectations or predictions regarding people or events that were expected to occur. Example: "The results of the experiment were anticipated by the researchers, who had hypothesized a positive outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You could argue that fractals give us the mathematics of the Baroque – they were anticipated by Borromini and Bach.

The Guardian - Arts

The club was seen as a solid choice as they were anticipated to be in strong contention for promotion.

The New York Times

Donald Trump's remarks about refusing Muslims entry into the US have been greeted with a mix of outrage and laughter; but they were anticipated in Britain in 2007 by none other than Martin Amis, who pointed out that the "Muslim community will have to suffer until it gets its house in order", and spoke of the necessity of "not letting them travel" – words he now regrets.

The Guardian

And though they were anticipated, Gannett also made substantial cuts to newsrooms around the U.S. on Wednesday.

TechCrunch

They were anticipated, not feared.

Huffington Post

They were anticipated by William Shepard, the local militia commander, who began gathering government-supporting militia the Saturday before the court was to sit.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They were anticipating a comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not what they were anticipating.

The New York Times

It was as if they were anticipating trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

Problem was, they were anticipating Ted Nugent, who had canceled.

The New York Times

They were anticipating a big uptick in sales, in light of the shout-out from Reznor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were anticipated" to clearly convey that something was expected or predicted before it happened. This helps establish context and manage reader expectations.

Common error

While "they were anticipated" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use active voice when appropriate (e.g., "Someone anticipated them").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were anticipated" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating a prior expectation or prediction. This construction is commonly used to convey that certain outcomes or events were foreseen. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were anticipated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate that certain events or outcomes were expected or predicted beforehand. Ludwig AI confirms this and provides a variety of real-world examples across different contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the use of active voice where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact. The phrase is suitable for news, science, and general writing, and is considered to have a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had been expected

Focuses on the expectation that existed prior to the event, emphasizing the anticipation.

they were foreseen

Highlights the act of seeing or knowing beforehand that something would happen.

they were predicted

Emphasizes the act of forecasting or prophesying an event.

they were presupposed

Highlights the assumption that something was true or would occur.

they were foretold

Implies a prophetic declaration or prediction about the future.

they were envisioned

Focuses on the mental image or conception of something in the future.

they were planned for

Indicates that preparations or arrangements were made in advance to accommodate something.

they were accounted for

Highlights that something was taken into consideration or included in a calculation or plan.

they were prepared for

Emphasizes the state of readiness or preparedness for an event.

they were deemed likely

Highlights the assessment of probability or likelihood of something occurring.

FAQs

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

Use "they were anticipated" to indicate that certain events or outcomes were expected or predicted beforehand. For example, "The positive results from the clinical trial, /s/they+were+anticipated, validated the research team's initial hypothesis".

What's a formal alternative to "they were anticipated"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "they were anticipated" with phrases like "they were foreseen" or "they were predicted" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "they were anticipated" interchangeable with "they were expected"?

While similar, "they were anticipated" suggests a more proactive expectation, as if someone foresaw and prepared for it. "They were expected" is a more general term. Depending on context, you may choose to replace "they were anticipated" with "they were expected".

Which is more appropriate, "they were anticipated" or "it was anticipated"?

The choice depends on the subject. If you are talking about plural entities or multiple items, "they were anticipated" is correct. If referring to a singular event or item, "it was anticipated" is appropriate. Example: "The budget cuts were anticipated" (plural) vs. "The merger was anticipated" (singular).