this was to be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this was to be expected' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to express a sentiment of resigned acceptance about an expected or anticipated outcome. For example: After studying the weather forecast, I knew it was likely to rain – this was to be expected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps this was to be expected.

The Guardian - Sport

But Mr. Arnott said that this was to be expected.

The New York Times

But all of this was to be expected.

The New York Times

This was to be expected for such an ambitious venture, he said.

The New York Times

With the New York primary just five days away, all of this was to be expected.

The New Yorker

There was a good deal of kicking and screaming and this was to be expected".

The Guardian

This was to be expected, yet a vague sense of anti-climax persisted for weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Given the Metropolitan Museum's revealing exhibition on Poiret, this was to be expected.

The New York Times

This was to be expected from an opportunist like Mitt Romney.

The Economist

As Prince's No 1 celeb fan, who once taught a course on Prince at NYU, this was to be expected.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was to be expected" when you want to convey a sense of resigned acceptance or lack of surprise about an outcome. It's suitable when the result aligns with prior knowledge or anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "this was to be expected" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound passive or dismissive. Consider using more precise language to explain why something was predictable, rather than simply stating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was to be expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express a lack of surprise or a sense of inevitability regarding a particular outcome. It often introduces an explanation or justification for the event. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was to be expected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a lack of surprise or a sense of inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, its use should be mindful of the context, avoiding overuse in highly formal writing where more precise explanations might be preferred. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase is common in news, science, and general discourse, making it a valuable tool for expressing anticipated outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such was to be expected

A slightly more formal and emphatic restatement of the original phrase with minor word order variation.

that was anticipated

This alternative directly states that the outcome was expected or foreseen.

it was predictable

This alternative simply states that the outcome was easily predicted.

that was foreseeable

This alternative focuses on the predictability of the outcome, implying it could have been anticipated.

it wasn't surprising

This alternative expresses a lack of surprise at the outcome.

it was bound to happen

This alternative emphasizes the inevitability of the event, suggesting it was unavoidable.

it stood to reason

This alternative implies the outcome was logical or rational, based on the circumstances.

it figured

This alternative is more informal and implies a sense of resignation or lack of surprise.

it was only a matter of time

This alternative highlights the expectation that the event would eventually occur.

that much was clear

This alternative suggests the outcome was evident from the beginning, leaving little room for doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "this was to be expected" in a sentence?

You can use "this was to be expected" to express that an outcome wasn't surprising. For example, "Given the circumstances, "this was to be expected"."

What is a more formal alternative to "this was to be expected"?

More formal alternatives include "that was anticipated" or "that outcome was foreseeable". These phrases offer a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.

Is "this was to be expected" interchangeable with "it was expected"?

While similar, "this was to be expected" often carries a stronger connotation of resignation or inevitability compared to the more neutral "it was expected".

What's the difference between "this was to be expected" and "this should have been expected"?

"This was to be expected" simply acknowledges an outcome's predictability. "This should have been expected" implies a criticism or oversight, suggesting someone failed to anticipate the outcome.