well-founded expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well-founded expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or anticipation that is based on solid evidence or reasoning. Example: "The investors had a well-founded expectation that the company's profits would increase due to the new product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is as if once the shield of celebrity that protected Savile had been breached, a vast cohort of victims who either had their accusations brushed aside or had a well-founded expectation of being silenced have suddenly regained their voices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One particular focus of our ongoing and future research efforts will be the derivation of theoretically well-founded background expectations of subgraph counts used in Netdis.

Bioinformatics

Soon, we found out that our expectations were not well-founded.

Huffington Post

This expectation was particularly well-founded as we studied a population who escaped secondary stressors and returned to stable home communities after a short period of time [ 19, 20, 45].

BMC Psychiatry

Therefore, such enthusiastic expectations are not well-founded.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Those expectations appear to be well-founded.

The New York Times

While this survey cannot address the question of whether the perceptions of patient demand for new technologies are well-founded, there is evidence that doctors tend to overestimate patient expectations [33].

Plosone

The expectation for a revised bid of $34 a share or more is well-founded.

TechCrunch

Like almost all the looting victims I spoke to, the builder asked: "Where were the police?" The expectation that lawlessness would prompt communities to defend themselves in what could spill into vigilantism was well-founded.

The Guardian

Her fear is well-founded.

The Economist

It's well-founded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well-founded expectation", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis for the expectation, providing specific evidence or reasoning to support it. This strengthens the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "well-founded expectation" when the basis for the expectation is unclear or based on speculation. Ensure there is concrete evidence or logical reasoning to support the claim; otherwise, consider using a less assertive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-founded expectation" functions as a noun phrase, where "well-founded" acts as a compound adjective modifying the noun "expectation". It describes a specific type of expectation that is supported by evidence or reason. As Ludwig states, it describes a belief or anticipation that is based on solid evidence or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well-founded expectation" describes an anticipation or belief that is based on solid evidence or logical reasoning. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Although relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, always ensure the basis for the expectation is clearly articulated. When writing, consider alternatives like "reasonable expectation" or "justified anticipation" to refine the nuance of your statement. Remember, using this phrase appropriately strengthens the credibility of your claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justified anticipation

Emphasizes the justification or reason behind the anticipation, similar to being "well-founded".

reasonable expectation

Highlights the reasonableness and logical basis of the expectation.

legitimate anticipation

Stresses the lawfulness or permissibility of the anticipation, implying it's fair and valid.

valid expectation

Focuses on the expectation being sound, just, or well-grounded.

sound anticipation

Indicates that the anticipation is based on solid and reliable information.

realistic expectation

Highlights the practicality and achievability of what is expected.

well-grounded anticipation

Similar to "well-founded", emphasizing a solid and firm basis for the anticipation.

substantiated expectation

Implies that the expectation is supported by evidence.

founded anticipation

A shorter version of "well-founded", simply stating that the anticipation has a base.

credible expectation

Suggests the expectation is believable and worthy of trust.

FAQs

How can I use "well-founded expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "well-founded expectation" to describe an anticipation or belief that is based on solid evidence or logical reasoning. For example: "The investors had a "well-founded expectation" that the company's profits would increase."

What are some alternatives to "well-founded expectation"?

Alternatives include "reasonable expectation", "justified anticipation", or "valid expectation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "ill-founded expectation"?

Yes, "ill-founded expectation" is the opposite of "well-founded expectation" and is used to describe an expectation that lacks a solid basis or is based on faulty reasoning.

What's the difference between "well-founded expectation" and "hope"?

"Well-founded expectation" implies a degree of certainty based on evidence, whereas "hope" suggests a desire for something to happen, even without strong evidence. A "well-founded expectation" is more grounded in reality than a simple hope.