was not expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "was not expected" is grammatically correct and it can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when something does not happen in the way that was previously anticipated. For example: "The outcome of the election was not expected; the surprise result shocked the entire nation".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That was not expected.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was not expected to live.

The New York Times

But I was not expected to live".

The New York Times - Sports

It was not expected to pass.

The New York Times

"The severity of this was not expected.

The Guardian - Business

But Russia was not expected to veto.

The New York Times

This was not expected to happen.

The Guardian - Books

It's true that this was not expected.

The New York Times

Ms. Miles was not expected to live that long.

The New York Times

He was not expected to pitch for two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

The resolution was not expected to overcome objections from Russia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not expected" to introduce a situation or outcome that deviated from prior assumptions or predictions. It is effective in creating surprise or highlighting the unpredictability of events.

Common error

Avoid using "was not expected" without clearly explaining what expectations were in place or why the outcome was surprising. Provide sufficient context to make the statement meaningful and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not expected" functions as a passive construction indicating that a particular outcome or event deviated from what was anticipated or predicted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It typically modifies a subject by highlighting the unexpected nature of the associated action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not expected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that an event or outcome differed from prior expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, as highlighted by numerous examples from diverse sources, including News & Media and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, and while alternative phrases exist, "was not expected" effectively conveys surprise or a deviation from anticipated outcomes. To use it effectively, ensure you provide adequate context about what expectations were in place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unforeseen

Highlights the unpredictable nature of the event that "was not expected".

was unanticipated

Focuses on the lack of prior anticipation or foresight regarding the event.

defied expectations

Indicates that the event directly contradicted or went against established expectations.

was unpredicted

Similar to 'unanticipated' but emphasizes that no prediction occurred.

came as a surprise

Emphasizes the element of surprise associated with the unexpected event.

no one saw coming

Emphasizes the complete lack of awareness or foresight regarding the event.

took everyone by surprise

Highlights the widespread surprise and lack of anticipation among people.

was a shock

Conveys a stronger sense of surprise and potential disbelief or disturbance.

exceeded predictions

Implies that the actual outcome surpassed what was predicted or anticipated.

was off the radar

This alternative implies that something was completely missed or ignored.

FAQs

How can I use "was not expected" in a sentence?

You can use "was not expected" to describe an outcome that differed from predictions or common assumptions. For example, "The company's profits were lower than what "was not expected", leading to a stock market decline".

What are some alternatives to "was not expected"?

Alternatives include "was unanticipated", "came as a surprise", or "defied expectations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was not expected"?

Yes, "was not expected" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction used to indicate that something did not happen as anticipated.

What's the difference between "was not expected" and "was unexpected"?

"Was not expected" implies a deviation from specific prior expectations, while "was unexpected" simply means that something happened without prior indication or anticipation. "Was not expected" emphasizes the contrast with prior assumptions.