was previously expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was previously expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was anticipated or predicted in the past but may have changed or not occurred as expected. Example: "The project's completion date was previously expected to be in June, but it has now been pushed back to September."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It was previously expected to be just 1.1% by 2016-17.

The Guardian

Deputy majority leader, the job that Mr. Klein was previously expected to fill, was the chamber's second most powerful position.

The New York Times

The savings are in the range of $10bn to $12bn, when it was previously expected the project would cost about $20bn, based on a 12-boat fleet.

The Guardian

The company said it would take a pretax charge of $500 million in the second quarter, $50 million more than was previously expected.

The New York Times

The diversity of the nation's children is increasing even faster than was previously expected, said William H. Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

The New York Times

If, as was previously expected, Breyer still eventually sides with Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor and Kagan in rejecting Hobby Lobby's argument, this would probably leave the deciding vote with justice Anthony Kennedy who raised questions appearing to favour both sides.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The ratings agency forecast a 5% drop in investment in 2017 and said that by 2018, investment would be 15% lower than it was previously expecting.

The Guardian - Business

Wall Street has been worried for the last few weeks that the Fed might be looking to pull back on its stimulus sooner than had been previously expected if the economy showed signs of faster-than-expected growth.

The New York Times

The first exports had been previously expected in June.

The New York Times

This resulted in lower net selling prices than had been previously expected.

The Guardian - Business

Overall the FTSE 100 finished 5.15 points lower at 6741.69 as recent data suggested a UK interest rate rise could come sooner than had been previously expected.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was previously expected" when indicating that an earlier prediction, plan, or expectation has not been met or has changed. This phrasing clearly indicates a shift from a prior outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "was previously expected" to describe current expectations or plans. Ensure the past tense is appropriate by contrasting it with a present reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was previously expected" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a certain outcome or condition had been anticipated at an earlier point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was previously expected" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a prior expectation that has since changed or not been fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news articles, scientific papers, and business reports. When using this phrase, ensure that the past tense aligns with the context, and consider synonyms like "was formerly anticipated" or "was earlier foreseen" for variety. Remember the distinction between past expectations and current realities to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was formerly anticipated

Replaces "previously expected" with a more formal synonym, changing the tone slightly.

was earlier foreseen

Emphasizes the predictive aspect, implying a vision of the future that did not materialize.

was once thought

Highlights a past belief that is no longer current.

was initially projected

Specifically relates to forecasts or estimations made at an earlier time.

was originally planned

Focuses on the initial plans, suggesting a deviation from the original intention.

had been predicted

Shifts the emphasis to the act of prediction rather than expectation.

was scheduled before

Highlights a past scheduling that had been deviated from.

had been estimated

Refers to past estimations made before more accurate data was available.

was considered probable

Indicates a past assessment of likelihood that has since changed.

was assumed at first

Highlights an initial assumption that was later proven incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "was previously expected" in a sentence?

Use "was previously expected" to indicate that a past anticipation or prediction has not come to pass or has been altered. For example: "The project's completion date "was previously expected" to be in June, but it has been delayed."

What are some alternatives to "was previously expected"?

Alternatives include "was formerly anticipated", "was earlier foreseen", or "was once thought" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is previously expected"?

No, "is previously expected" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""was previously expected"", which uses the past tense to indicate a prior expectation.

What is the difference between "was previously expected" and "is currently expected"?

""was previously expected"" refers to an expectation that existed in the past but may no longer be valid, whereas "is currently expected" refers to the present understanding or forecast.