we anticipated this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we anticipated this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that you expected a certain outcome or event to occur. Example: "After analyzing the market trends, we anticipated this shift in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"We anticipated this would be a seven-game series.

The New York Times - Sports

"We anticipated this," Arne Duncan, the education secretary, said of the lending industry's lobbying efforts.

The New York Times

"The orders were good, but nothing like what we anticipated this could be," Mr. Nichols said.

The New York Times

"We anticipated this being a tough period for the show, as it is for all of Broadway," Mr. Damaschke said.

The New York Times

But President Bush tried to turn it around by saying, "The good news is, we anticipated this".

The New York Times

Janice Aune, the chief executive of Onvoy, said through a spokeswoman, "We anticipated this move, particularly this week prior to the bankruptcy proceedings beginning".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Sometimes, when we anticipate this, nothing happens.

The New York Times - Sports

We anticipate this cash will be withdrawn over the next two to three years.

The Guardian

We anticipate this is going to be a tight election and a tough campaign," he said.

The Guardian

We anticipate this will happen in a matter of weeks but cannot confirm an admission date at this point".

The Guardian

We anticipate this will grow to 50% as a result of the ongoing investments and improvements we have made during 2012 and we remain self-financed from profits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we anticipated this" when you want to emphasize that a particular outcome was not unexpected, often because of prior knowledge, planning, or analysis.

Common error

While "anticipate" and "expect" are often used interchangeably, "anticipate" suggests taking action in preparation for a future event. Avoid using "we anticipated this" if you simply mean you thought it would happen, without any preparatory action taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we anticipated this" functions as a statement indicating that the speaker(s) or writer(s) expected a particular event or outcome. It serves to communicate a lack of surprise and, often, implies prior planning or consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we anticipated this" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a prior expectation of an event or outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, but particularly common in news, science, and formal communications. The phrase implies not just expectation, but often some level of preparation or planning. Alternatives include "we expected this" or "we foresaw this", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the specific context and accurately reflects the situation. Avoid using it if you only mean you thought it would happen, without any preparatory action taken.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we expected this

Changes the verb to a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly less formal tone.

we foresaw this

Implies a deeper level of foresight or prediction, suggesting a more proactive anticipation of the event.

we predicted this

Focuses on the act of making a prediction about the event, highlighting the predictive aspect of the anticipation.

we had foreseen this

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the anticipation occurred well before the event itself.

we were expecting this

Shifts the focus to the state of expectation, suggesting a more passive anticipation of the event.

this was expected

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, focusing on the event itself being expected rather than the actors doing the expecting.

it was anticipated

Similar to 'this was expected', it's a passive construction. Useful if you want to depersonalize the statement.

we knew this was coming

More informal and conversational, suggesting a clear awareness of the impending event.

we had this in mind

Implies a planning or strategic element, suggesting that the event was part of a broader plan or consideration.

we planned for this

Highlights the proactive preparation for the event, emphasizing the planning and readiness aspects.

FAQs

What does "we anticipated this" mean?

The phrase "we anticipated this" means that a group of people or an organization foresaw a particular event or outcome and were not surprised when it occurred. It often implies some level of preparation or planning in response to this expectation.

Is it correct to use "we anticipated this" in formal writing?

Yes, "we anticipated this" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and business. However, make sure that you use "we expected this" if you only mean that you thought it would happen, without any preparatory action taken.

What are some alternatives to "we anticipated this"?

Some alternatives include "we expected this", "we foresaw this", or "we predicted this". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, such as the degree of foresight or the formality of the context.

How can I use "we anticipated this" effectively in a sentence?

To use "we anticipated this" effectively, ensure it clearly connects to the reason for the anticipation and any actions taken as a result. For example: "We analyzed market trends and, as a result, "we anticipated this" shift in consumer behavior, allowing us to adjust our marketing strategy accordingly."