worse than anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worse than anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or outcome that is more negative than what was expected or predicted. Example: "The project's results were worse than anticipated, leading to a reevaluation of our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the results were worse than anticipated.

The New York Times

But the situation is now looking even worse than anticipated.

The New York Times

Needless to say, the conditions were far worse than anticipated.

The Washington Post

The problems incurred by Amref are partly due to worse than anticipated conditions in Katine.

The Guardian

"The claims experience for these plans has been worse than anticipated," Coventry reported.

The New York Times

The figures, worse than anticipated, agitated some pundits who thought the market might be slowing, and also worried some investors.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

A year ago, Newsday reported that the estimate had grown to $80 million from nearly $35 million in June 1996, partly because the building was in worse shape than anticipated.

The New York Times

Particularly when the final reports show the situation to be far worse than originally anticipated.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was worse than I anticipated," the official, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, said of the report.

The New York Times

He added, "It turned out to be even worse than I anticipated".

The New York Times

"I assumed it was all an exaggeration – but when I got there, it was much worse than I anticipated".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worse than anticipated" to clearly communicate that a situation or result has deteriorated beyond initial expectations. This phrase adds emphasis and can highlight the need for reevaluation or action.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse of "worse than anticipated" in extremely formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that quantifies the degree of deviation from expectations, where possible. Try to employ other alternatives, like "more unfavorable than predicted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worse than anticipated" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is of a lower quality or standard than what was initially expected. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worse than anticipated" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express that a situation or outcome is more negative than initially expected. Ludwig AI validates its usage in a wide range of contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the formality of the context. For extremely formal writing, opting for more precise language is advisable. Remember that conveying a clear message about the deviation from expectations is important when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more disappointing than expected

Emphasizes the feeling of disappointment arising from the unexpected negative outcome.

more unfavorable than predicted

Focuses on the inaccuracy of the prediction in light of the actual unfavorable result.

exceeded negative expectations

Highlights that the negative outcome was greater than what was initially feared.

fell short of projections to a greater degree

Emphasizes the failure to meet expectations and the extent of the shortfall.

turned out more negatively than forecast

Focuses on the forecast's inaccuracy, indicating a surprising turn for the worse.

more dreadful than foreseen

Conveys a sense of dread or fear associated with the unexpectedly negative outcome.

outstripped pessimistic forecasts

Highlights that even pessimistic predictions were not as severe as the actual outcome.

proved a greater setback than envisioned

Emphasizes the concept of a setback and its unexpectedly large impact.

more alarming than initially perceived

Highlights the alarming nature of the situation that wasn't fully appreciated at first.

a nastier surprise than expected

Implies an unexpected and unpleasant outcome that was more severe than initially thought.

FAQs

How can I use "worse than anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "worse than anticipated" to describe a situation that turned out to be more negative than expected. For instance, "The company's losses were worse than anticipated, leading to significant restructuring."

What are some alternatives to "worse than anticipated"?

Some alternatives include "more disappointing than expected", "more unfavorable than predicted", or "exceeded negative expectations" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "worse than anticipated"?

Yes, "worse than anticipated" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

When should I use "worse than anticipated" instead of "worse than expected"?

"Worse than anticipated" and "worse than expected" are largely interchangeable. "Anticipated" suggests a more formal or proactive expectation, while "expected" is more general. Choose the word that best fits the tone and context of your writing.