you may expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you may expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when informing someone about what they should anticipate or look forward to in a given situation. Example: "In the upcoming meeting, you may expect a detailed presentation on our quarterly results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Parents, however, be warned: If your own energetic snails take Snippet too much to heart, you may expect an even earlier-than-expected wake-up call.

The New York Times - Books

With given inputs you may expect given outputs.

The New York Times

But there's less room than you may expect.

The New York Times

As you may expect, the world on the moon is a place in a patsy's mind.

The New York Times - Arts

You may expect both many unhappy returns and some smashing coups de théâtre.

The New York Times

The law has not received as warm a welcome on Wall Street as you may expect.

The New York Times

Mr Al Fayed thinks that if you give people gifts you may expect favours in return.

The Economist

Climate It's on the coast; you may expect a lot of weather.

The Guardian

Which is about as un-2011 a sentiment as you may expect to hear.

The Guardian - Books

If you live north or south you may Expect a very "iffy" day.

The New York Times

You may expect payment in full of the grant award in the first part of this year".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you may expect" to prepare your audience for an upcoming event or outcome. It sets a tone of anticipation or readiness.

Common error

While "you may expect" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "it is anticipated that" or "it is reasonable to expect" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you may expect" functions as a declarative statement used to inform or prepare someone for a potential outcome or experience. It combines a modal verb (may) indicating possibility with a verb of anticipation (expect). The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you may expect" is a versatile phrase used to prepare individuals for likely outcomes, as confirmed by the Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves to manage expectations across diverse contexts, from formal business to casual conversation. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, varying language in formal settings by using phrases like "it is anticipated that" can enhance professional tone. As one of the most authoritative sources, The New York Times, demonstrates, it's crucial to consider the audience when using "you may expect" to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you can anticipate

Replaces 'may' with 'can', suggesting a stronger degree of certainty.

you should anticipate

Replaces 'may' with 'should', implying a recommendation to be prepared.

you might expect

Substitutes 'may' with 'might', suggesting a lower degree of certainty or possibility.

it is reasonable to expect

Offers a more formal and objective tone, emphasizing the logical basis for the expectation.

it is to be expected that

Presents the expectation as a natural or unavoidable consequence.

you can look forward to

Indicates a positive expectation, often used for something pleasant.

it is anticipated that

Adopts a passive voice, focusing on the event being anticipated rather than the person expecting it.

one might foresee

Uses 'foresee' instead of 'expect', adding a nuance of prediction based on insight.

you could foresee

Uses 'could' to express a hypothetical future event, implying a conditional level of expectation.

it's likely that you'll see

Uses a longer, more descriptive expression conveying a high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

How do I use "you may expect" in a sentence?

Use "you may expect" to inform someone about a likely or anticipated outcome. For example, "If you invest in this project, "you may expect" significant returns within the year."

What can I say instead of "you may expect"?

You can use alternatives like "you can anticipate", "you should anticipate", or "it is reasonable to expect" depending on the context.

Is "you may expect" formal or informal?

"You may expect" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional settings. Consider alternatives like "it is anticipated that" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "you may expect" and "you might expect"?

"You may expect" suggests a higher probability or confidence in the outcome, while "you might expect" indicates a lower degree of certainty or a possibility rather than a strong likelihood.