we should expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence fragment "we should expect" can be correctly and appropriately used in written English.
It is often used to convey an idea that a certain outcome is likely in a given situation. For example, "Given the forecast for heavy rains, we should expect a significant increase in standing water in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should expect it.

Yale University

We should expect that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We should expect a crackdown.

The New York Times

We should expect more.

The Guardian - Opinion

We should expect the unexpected.

Yale University

We should expect no favours.

The Guardian - Books

We should expect it again.

The New York Times

We should expect worse and worse".

The Guardian

We should expect more protests, and soon.

The Washington Post

We should expect the decline of yellow cabs to continue.

Columbia University

Absent better procedural rules, we should expect over-removal.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we should expect" to set clear expectations in reports and proposals, ensuring your audience understands likely outcomes.

Common error

Be cautious of using "we should expect" when the outcome is only a possibility; instead, use phrases that convey uncertainty if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should expect" functions as a modal expression used to convey anticipation or prediction. It indicates that, based on certain conditions or evidence, a particular outcome is likely or reasonable. As Ludwig shows, it commonly precedes a statement of what is being anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

25%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we should expect" serves as a versatile tool for expressing anticipation or predicting likely outcomes across a range of contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and very common in both formal and informal communication. Its primary function is to set expectations, inform, or prepare an audience for what is likely to happen. Common contexts include news media and academic writing, with variations like "we can anticipate" providing subtle differences in meaning. When using the phrase, avoid overstating certainty and consider alternative phrasing to reflect appropriate levels of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and wide applicability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we should anticipate

This is a direct synonym, emphasizing the need to prepare for something.

we ought to expect

Using "ought to" adds a sense of moral or logical obligation to the expectation.

we can anticipate

This alternative suggests a degree of certainty based on available information.

it is reasonable to assume

This phrase introduces a logical inference based on certain conditions.

we can foresee

This implies predicting a future event based on current trends or knowledge.

we can look forward to

This suggests anticipating something with pleasure or positive expectation.

it is anticipated that

This phrase conveys a formal expectation, often used in official contexts.

we can predict

This implies using data or analysis to forecast a future outcome.

it stands to reason that

This indicates that something is logically probable or inevitable.

it is likely that

This phrase simply expresses a high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "we should expect" in a sentence?

Use "we should expect" to indicate a likely outcome or anticipated event based on current conditions or evidence. For example, "Given the increasing demand, "we should expect" higher prices".

What are some alternatives to "we should expect"?

You can use alternatives such as "we can anticipate", "it is reasonable to assume", or "we can foresee" depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "we should expect" and "we must expect"?

"We should expect" suggests a likely outcome or anticipation, whereas "we must expect" implies a necessity or obligation to anticipate something, often due to potential consequences.

When is it inappropriate to use "we should expect"?

Avoid using "we should expect" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. In such cases, use phrases like "it is possible that" or "we might see" to better reflect the uncertainty.