were expected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were expected to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which it was anticipated that someone or something would do something. For example: The children were expected to arrive at the event at 5pm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

All were expected to recover.

The New York Times

They were expected to recover.

The New York Times

Others were expected to observe the same.

The Guardian

The players were expected to approve authorization.

The New York Times - Sports

All four victims were expected to survive.

The New York Times

They were expected to wear "goodly raiment".

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were expected to arrive here Wednesday.

The New York Times

Nazi officials were expected to attend.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We were expected to be grateful.

The New York Times - Books

"We were expected to speak impeccable English".

The New York Times

Those payments were expected to be modest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were expected to" to clearly communicate anticipated actions or outcomes based on prior planning, assumptions, or predictions. Ensure the context provides sufficient information to understand why the expectation existed.

Common error

Avoid using "were expected to" when describing current or future expectations. Instead, use "are expected to" or "will be expected to" to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were expected to" functions as a modal construction expressing past expectation or anticipation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something was anticipated or considered likely to occur in the past, according to prior planning, assumptions, or predictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were expected to" is a versatile and commonly used construction for expressing past expectations or anticipations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the basis for the expectation and use proper tense to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives such as "were anticipated to" or "were supposed to" for subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were anticipated to

Replaces "expected" with "anticipated", suggesting a slightly more formal or predictive tone.

were supposed to

Offers a more informal alternative, implying an obligation or plan that may or may not have been fulfilled.

were predicted to

Focuses on forecasting or foretelling an event, emphasizing prediction rather than expectation.

were projected to

Similar to "predicted to", but often used in contexts involving data or statistical forecasts.

were slated to

Indicates that something was officially scheduled or planned.

were intended to

Highlights the original purpose or aim behind an action or event.

were designed to

Implies a specific design or plan that was in place for a particular outcome.

were due to

Suggests a scheduled or imminent event, emphasizing timing.

were bound to

Indicates a high degree of certainty or inevitability.

were obliged to

Highlights a sense of duty or legal requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "were expected to" in a sentence?

Use "were expected to" to describe past expectations or anticipated outcomes. For example, "The guests "were expected to" arrive by 6 PM" indicates a past anticipation.

What's the difference between "were expected to" and "are expected to"?

"Were expected to" refers to past expectations, while "are expected to" indicates current expectations. The correct tense depends on whether the expectation is in the past or present.

What are some alternatives to "were expected to"?

Alternatives include "were anticipated to", "were supposed to", or "were predicted to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider "were anticipated to" for a formal tone, or "were supposed to" for a more informal one.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were expected to have"?

Yes, "were expected to have" is grammatically correct. It describes a past expectation that something would have already happened. For example, "They "were expected to have" finished the project by now."