this was not planned

USAGE SUMMARY

"this was not planned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain why something unexpected happened. For example: "I showed up late to the meeting - this was not planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But this was not planned.

The New York Times

"This was not planned," said Mr. Coulton, 37, a musician who lives in Brooklyn, "though the singing was assumed".

The New York Times

There are substantial numbers who thought that things are not going well, that this was not planned well.

The New York Times

This was not planned, and despite a house full of travel cots and car seats, I was looking forward to moving away from nappies and half-drunk cups of tea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This was not planned as a drug-discovery program," says Blanchard.

Science Magazine

The two may be unrelated, but what is certain is that this was not planned or scheduled downtime for site maintenance.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"This wasn't planned synergy," he said, "but I think the projects reflect well on the magazine".

The New York Times

"This wasn't planned to be a kids game from the beginning, and it's still not planned to be a kids game!

The Guardian - Tech

"Lots of this wasn't planned," admits Ponce, 26, who is wearing a ribbed tank top and paint-splattered shorts, a trucker hat pushed high on his brow.

Los Angeles Times

This is not planned due to the long duration of follow-up.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This study was not planned as a realist evaluation from the start.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, consider the audience's perspective and tailor your explanation to address any concerns or misunderstandings they might have about the unplanned nature of the event.

Common error

While "this was not planned" is acceptable, overuse in formal or professional writing can sound less polished. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "unforeseen" or "unintentional" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was not planned" functions as a declarative statement expressing that an event, action, or outcome occurred without prior intention or design. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was not planned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate an unexpected or unintentional event, action, or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, though more formal writing may benefit from considering synonyms. Its prevalence in news, science, and general media makes it a versatile option for explaining deviations from an intended course, but being mindful of the register and the need for a more professional tone with related synonyms is highly recommended. The phrase serves primarily to clarify and manage expectations when things don't go as anticipated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was unforeseen

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation; suggests the event was not considered possible.

this was unintentional

Focuses on the lack of deliberate intent behind the action or event.

this was accidental

Highlights that the event occurred by chance, without prior intention.

this was not deliberate

Underscores that the outcome was not premeditated or intentional.

this wasn't on the agenda

Suggests the event deviated from the established plan or schedule.

this wasn't part of the design

Indicates the outcome was excluded from the initial concept or strategy.

this outcome was unexpected

Focuses on the surprise element associated with the result.

this was not scheduled

Highlights the lack of a predetermined time or arrangement for the event.

this evolved organically

Suggests the event developed naturally without a fixed plan.

this materialized spontaneously

Emphasizes the sudden and unplanned appearance of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "this was not planned" in a sentence?

You can use "this was not planned" to explain an unexpected event or outcome. For example, "The detour "was not planned", but it led us to a beautiful scenic route".

What are some alternatives to "this was not planned"?

Alternatives include "this was unforeseen", "this was unintentional", or "this was accidental", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this wasn't planned" grammatically correct?

"This wasn't planned" is a grammatically correct contraction of "this was not planned" and is suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "this was not planned" and "this was not expected"?

"This was not planned" indicates a lack of intent or premeditation, while "this was not expected" focuses on the surprise or lack of anticipation. While the two can overlap, their primary focus differs.