were expected to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were expected to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a belief or assumption about what was anticipated or predicted in the past. Example: "The results of the experiment were expected to be published by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Sports

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Those payments were expected to be modest.

The New York Times

They were expected to be arraigned today.

The New York Times - Sports

Sales were expected to be $308.2 million.

The New York Times

We were expected to be grateful.

The New York Times - Books

The two were expected to be arraigned on Friday.

The New York Times

The results were expected to be much closer.

The New York Times

They were expected to be a gentlemanly third.

The New York Times - Sports

They were expected to be released last night.

The New York Times

Official results were expected to be announced later today.

The New York Times

Results from the voting were expected to be announced today.

The New York Times

His savings were expected to be donated to the state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were expected to be" to clearly indicate an anticipation or prediction that existed in the past. Ensure the subject aligns with the expected outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "were expected to be" in contexts that require a different tense, such as present or future expectations. For current expectations, use "are expected to be" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were expected to be" functions as a passive construction, indicating a past expectation or prediction about the state or condition of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is typically used to describe an anticipated outcome or state of affairs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Sports

2%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were expected to be" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express past expectations or predictions. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure accurate tense and context. Alternatives such as "were anticipated to be" or "were predicted to be" can add nuance to your writing. Avoid using it in present or future tense contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were anticipated to be

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

were predicted to be

Substitutes "expected" with "predicted", suggesting a forecast or calculated estimation.

were projected to be

Uses "projected" instead of "expected", often used in data-driven contexts.

were slated to be

Replaces "expected" with "slated", indicating a scheduled or planned event.

were supposed to be

Substitutes "expected" with "supposed", implying an obligation or intended action.

were considered to be

Shifts the focus to perception or opinion rather than expectation.

had been anticipated as

Uses a past perfect construction to emphasize prior anticipation.

had been predicted as

Uses a past perfect construction to emphasize a prior prediction.

it was anticipated that they would be

Reformulates the sentence structure to emphasize the anticipation itself.

it was foreseen that they would be

Replaces "expected" with "foreseen", indicating a prediction based on insight.

FAQs

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

Use "were expected to be" to describe past anticipations or predictions. For instance, "The election results "were expected to be" announced on Monday" indicates a past expectation.

What phrases are similar to "were expected to be"?

Alternatives include "were anticipated to be", "were predicted to be", or "were supposed to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "were expected to be" versus "are expected to be"?

Use "were expected to be" for past expectations and "are expected to be" for current or future expectations. The tense is crucial for conveying the correct timeframe.

Is it correct to use "were expected to be" in formal writing?

Yes, "were expected to be" is appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports. However, ensure the context and tense are accurate.