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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
totally expected
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"totally expected" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that something was anticipated or predictable. For example: "The rain on the weekend was totally expected." Alternative expressions include "completely anticipated" and "entirely foreseeable."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
entirely predictable
fully anticipated
just as predicted
hardly unexpected
right on cue
inevitable outcome
par for the course
entirely unsurprised
not surprised
unsurprised
completely unsurprised
I saw it coming
as expected
predictable outcome
hardly surprising
came as no surprise
just as I thought
not in the slightest bit surprised
not at all surprised
not remotely surprised
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
26 human-written examples
Skelton's would need tweaking though, perhaps "totally expected power".
News & Media
Jesse Oxfeld, a senior associate editor, said: "It was totally expected.
News & Media
Taking control of Cardiff from the Lib Dems was not totally expected.
News & Media
Gabriel González, its co-founder and managing director, said the award – while totally expected – was deeply appreciated.
News & Media
The response of talent was totally expected and undoubtedly exasperating to capital: "Hey owners, don't be stupid; just pay these guys.
News & Media
As then, the Rangers scored the go-ahead run in their 7-5 victony on a nifty squeeze by Julio Borbon that the Yankees absolutely and totally expected.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
33 human-written examples
I was totally expecting a knitted element to her outfit, rather than the elegant purple satin number we got instead.
News & Media
In fact, this is now the Operation Admiring Insolence of US-Middle Eand relations, and Homeland viewers should now totally expect to meet at least one non-homicidally deranged Muslim in the next two or three series.
News & Media
Totally expect to get some weird looks wearing this bag; it's that funny looking.
News & Media
"We totally expect that in five or 10 years, they might be using a completely different technology".
Science & Research
I asked if I'd be okay once I finished chemo, totally expecting him to say yes.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "totally expected" to convey a sense of inevitability or lack of surprise regarding an event or outcome. It is appropriate when the result aligns with prior expectations or patterns.
Common error
While appropriate in many settings, overuse of "totally expected" can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "completely anticipated" or "entirely predictable" for a more polished tone.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "totally expected" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverb ("totally") modifying an adjective ("expected"). It is used to describe the degree to which something was anticipated. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is commonly used and understood.
Frequent in
News & Media
79%
Science
14%
Wiki
7%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "totally expected" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was anticipated or unsurprising. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it functions as an adverb modifying an adjective, primarily serving to emphasize a lack of surprise. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that suits many situations, though it may be too informal for strictly academic writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely understood in English. While "totally expected" is widely acceptable, remember to consider formality when selecting alternatives such as "completely anticipated" or "entirely predictable".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
completely anticipated
Replaces "totally" with "completely", offering a slightly more formal tone.
entirely predictable
Substitutes both words for synonyms, focusing on the predictability aspect.
fully anticipated
Uses "fully" in place of "totally", maintaining a similar level of emphasis.
utterly foreseeable
Emphasizes the inevitability of the event with a slightly stronger tone.
just as predicted
Highlights the accuracy of a prior prediction.
not at all surprising
Expresses the lack of surprise at an event.
hardly unexpected
Uses a double negative to convey a similar meaning.
right on cue
Suggests an event happened exactly as planned or anticipated.
inevitable outcome
Focuses on the unavoidable nature of the result.
par for the course
Indicates that an event is typical or normal in a given situation.
FAQs
How can I use "totally expected" in a sentence?
You can use "totally expected" to describe an event or outcome that was anticipated or unsurprising. For example, "The delay was "totally expected" due to the weather conditions."
What are some alternatives to "totally expected"?
You can use alternatives like "completely anticipated", "entirely predictable", or "fully anticipated" depending on the context.
Is it okay to use "totally expected" in formal writing?
While "totally expected" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "completely anticipated" or "utterly foreseeable".
What does "totally expected" imply?
"Totally expected" implies that an event or outcome was not surprising and aligned with previous predictions or understanding. It suggests a lack of novelty or unexpectedness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested