they were expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a belief or assumption about what someone should do or achieve. Example: "In the project, they were expected to complete their tasks by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were expected to recover.

The New York Times

They were expected to wear "goodly raiment".

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were expected to arrive here Wednesday.

The New York Times

They were expected to win.

The Guardian - Sport

They were expected to leave Syria tomorrow.

The Guardian

They were expected to be arraigned today.

The New York Times - Sports

They were expected to work hard".

The New York Times

Now, they were expected to go out and fight crime.

The New York Times

They were expected to be a gentlemanly third.

The New York Times - Sports

They were expected to be released last night.

The New York Times

They were expected to announce a decision today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were expected to" when indicating a generally held belief or common anticipation about someone's actions or performance. It is suitable for describing both positive and negative expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "they was expected to", as the correct form requires the plural verb "were" to agree with the plural subject "they".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were expected to" primarily functions as a declarative construction to express a common belief, anticipation, or obligation regarding a group's actions or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were expected to" is a versatile construction used to convey anticipation, obligation, or commonly held beliefs. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. It functions declaratively, primarily serving to express shared expectations or forecast future actions based on those expectations. While maintaining a generally neutral tone, its frequency and wide applicability make it a valuable tool for conveying information objectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were anticipated to

Emphasizes a prediction or expectation about a future event or action.

it was predicted they would

Highlights the act of forecasting or foretelling a future event.

they were supposed to

Indicates an obligation, agreement, or plan that should have been followed.

it was their duty to

Emphasizes the moral or legal obligation one had to fulfill.

they had a responsibility to

Focuses on the burden or accountability one carried out.

they were meant to

Suggests a preordained or intended purpose for someone's actions.

they were scheduled to

Highlights the prearranged timing of an event or activity.

it was planned for them to

Focuses on the process of devising a strategy for a future event.

the plan was for them to

Highlights the pre-existing arrangement or scheme for future action.

they were slated to

Indicates a formal or official scheduling of an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were expected to" to indicate an anticipation or obligation. For example, "They were expected to arrive on time" or "They were expected to perform well".

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

Alternatives include "they were supposed to", "they were anticipated to", or "they were meant to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was expected to" instead of "they were expected to"?

No, "they was expected to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were expected to", as the plural subject "they" requires the plural verb "were".

What's the difference between "they were expected to" and "they had to"?

"They were expected to" implies an anticipation or general belief, while "they had to" indicates a necessity or obligation. The former suggests a prediction, whereas the latter suggests a requirement.