to be expected of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be expected of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is anticipated or considered normal behavior for someone or something. Example: "Such a high level of performance is to be expected of a seasoned professional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Challenges were to be expected, of course.

The New York Times

That is to be expected, of course.

The New York Times

You know what's going to be expected of you.

The New York Times - Sports

That is only to be expected, of course.

The Economist

That's to be expected of a sleek two-door.

The New York Times

Again, that's to be expected of a sceptical non-Tory press.

The Guardian

Comibol quickly developed all the inefficiency to be expected of a huge socialized enterprise.

The New Yorker

A certain amount of misbehaviour is to be expected, of course.

The Guardian

But such insecurities are to be expected of newcomers to a technique and a repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

As was to be expected, of course, he was happiest after she had left.

The Guardian - Books

An episodic quality is to be expected of a quest narrative.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be expected of" when you want to indicate that a certain behavior, outcome, or quality is normal or predictable given the context or the subject in question.

Common error

Avoid overusing "to be expected of" to justify shortcomings. While it can explain typical outcomes, it shouldn't excuse a lack of effort or accountability where improvement is possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be expected of" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a predictable or typical quality or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be expected of" is a versatile tool for expressing anticipation and predictability across a range of contexts. Grammatically sound and widely used, as verified by Ludwig AI, it serves to qualify expectations based on the nature of a subject or situation. While predominantly found in news and media, it's also common in academia and scientific writing. Use it judiciously to set reasonable expectations, but avoid using it as an excuse for poor performance when improvement is possible. Alternatives like "typical of" or "consistent with" can provide nuanced variations to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical of

Focuses on the characteristic nature of something.

characteristic of

Emphasizes a distinctive quality or feature.

consistent with

Highlights the alignment with a certain pattern or standard.

in line with

Indicates conformity or agreement with expectations.

predictable for

Stresses the ability to foresee or anticipate.

anticipated from

Emphasizes prior expectation.

only natural for

Suggests something is reasonable or logical.

par for the course for

Indicates something is normal or typical in a given situation.

standard for

Highlights adherence to a common requirement.

conforming to

Emphasizes compliance with standards or norms.

FAQs

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

Use "to be expected of" to describe outcomes or behaviors that are typical or predictable, given the circumstances or the subject. For example: "Such dedication is "typical of" a seasoned professional."

What are some alternatives to "to be expected of"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""typical of"", "characteristic of", or "consistent with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "what is to be expected of" or "what should be expected of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "what is to be expected of" implies a factual expectation based on current conditions, while "what should be expected of" suggests a normative expectation or standard.

What's the difference between "to be expected of" and "expected from"?

"To be expected of" describes what is generally anticipated from someone or something based on their nature or situation. "Expected from", while similar, can also imply a specific demand or requirement placed upon them.