widely anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe something (such as an event, product, outcome, etc.) that a lot of people were expecting or predicting. For example: The release of the new movie was widely anticipated, and it did not disappoint fans.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

RIOTS are rarely so widely anticipated.

The Economist

The reopening had been widely anticipated.

The New York Times

Mr. Lee's appointment had been widely anticipated.

The New York Times

First of all, the decision was not widely anticipated.

The New Yorker

The introduction of the product has been widely anticipated.

The New York Times

They hope to minimize widely anticipated Republican gains.

The New York Times

The changes to the prestigious American award were widely anticipated.

The New York Times

The Senate results followed a pattern widely anticipated in recent weeks.

The New York Times

"His retirement has been widely anticipated," said John A. Casesa, an analyst at Merrill Lynch.

The New York Times

Each of us can create and live in a "Daily Me". That was not widely anticipated.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

May 3 2002: The British National party makes widely-anticipated electoral breakthrough, winning three seats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly establishes who is anticipating the event to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "widely anticipated among investors" or "widely anticipated by fans".

Common error

Avoid using "widely anticipated" excessively in highly formal or academic writing, where more precise or nuanced language may be appropriate. Consider alternatives that provide greater specificity about the nature of the anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely anticipated" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that is expected or predicted by many people. Examples show it used before nouns such as release, decision, and meeting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widely anticipated" is a common and correct way to describe something that many people expect or are looking forward to. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it effectively communicates the broad scope of expectation surrounding events, releases, or decisions. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more nuanced language when appropriate. Alternatives such as "eagerly awaited" or "highly anticipated" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Therefore, understanding the context is key to wielding this powerful adjective phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadly expected

This alternative emphasizes the widespread nature of the expectation, focusing on the generality of the anticipation.

eagerly awaited

This alternative highlights the enthusiasm and eagerness associated with the anticipation.

highly anticipated

This alternative stresses the intensity and level of anticipation surrounding something.

much awaited

This option is a shorter alternative, focusing on the duration of waiting.

long awaited

This phrase stresses that people waited for it, frequently employed when the waiting period has been particularly extensive.

widely foreseen

This alternative implies the event was predicted by many, focusing on foresight rather than anticipation.

universally expected

This option emphasizes that practically everyone anticipates the event.

generally expected

This indicates a common expectation, differing by being less strong than "widely anticipated".

commonly foreseen

The expression focuses on the common or general nature of prediction rather than anticipation.

extensively foreshadowed

This is suitable when there are hints or indications that an event is imminent.

FAQs

How can I use "widely anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "widely anticipated" to describe events, products, or decisions that many people are expecting. For instance, "The release of the new phone is "widely anticipated" by tech enthusiasts".

What are some alternatives to "widely anticipated"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like "eagerly awaited", "highly anticipated", or "broadly expected".

Is "widely anticipated" formal or informal?

"Widely anticipated" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts, as seen in news reports and business articles. However, it might be less appropriate for very formal academic writing where more precise language is favored.

How does "widely anticipated" differ from "widely expected"?

While both suggest a common expectation, "widely anticipated" implies a sense of excitement or eagerness, whereas "widely expected" simply denotes that something is likely to happen without necessarily implying enthusiasm.