What is expected? Pronunciation and usage in English

expected means . Learn how to pronounce and use expected through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of expected

expectedadjective

/ɪkˈspɛktɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of expected

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "expected" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "ex-": This is pronounced like "eks" – similar to the "eks" in "exercise." It's a short, quick "eks."
  • "pect": This is the key part. It sounds like "pek" – like the word "pecan." The "p" is pronounced clearly.
  • "-ed": This is pronounced like "t" – a simple, short "t" sound.

2. Combining it All:

Putting it together, you get: eks-PEK-t

3. Emphasis:

  • The emphasis is on the second syllable: eks-PEK-t.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

  • ex-: [eks]
  • pect: [pɛk]
  • -ed: [t]

Putting it together: [eksˈpɛkt] (The 'ˈ' symbol indicates the primary stress)

Tips for sounding natural:

  • Don't over-elongate: Each syllable should be relatively short and punchy.
  • Focus on the "pek" sound: This is what trips most people up. Practice saying "pek" repeatedly.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear a native speaker. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "expected" in Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/expected/ : This website provides pronunciations from native speakers of various accents.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce expected" on YouTube. You'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word expected in English

Let's break down how to use the word "expected" in English. It’s a very versatile word with several different functions. Here’s a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Something That Was Predicted):

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It describes something that was anticipated or predicted to happen.
  • Examples:
    • "The weather was expected to be rainy." (We predicted it would rain.)
    • "She had expected a bigger bonus." (She anticipated a larger bonus.)
    • "His reaction was expected; he was always calm in a crisis." (His reaction was predictable.)
    • "The company expected a strong sales report." (They predicted good sales.)

2. As a Past Participle (Used with "Have" to Form Perfect Tenses):

  • Meaning: This is crucial for verb tenses. It's used with "have," "has," or "had" to form perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, etc.). It signifies an action that happened before another point in time.
  • Examples:
    • "I expected him to call, but he didn't." (He didn’t call after I had expected him to.)
    • "She had expected a different outcome." (The outcome was different from what she had anticipated.)
    • "We have expected this for weeks." (We've been anticipating this for several weeks.)
    • "He has expected a promotion." (He has anticipated a promotion - and it's relevant now.)

3. As a Verb (Meaning "To Anticipate" or "To Believe"):

  • Meaning: In this form, “expected” means to anticipate or believe something will happen. It’s a bit more formal than “thought.”
  • Examples:
    • "I expected to finish the project by Friday." (I anticipated finishing it.)
    • "He expected her to arrive late, as she always was." (He believed she would be late.)
    • "The researchers expected groundbreaking results." (They anticipated significant results.)

4. Figurative Usage (Meaning "Suitable" or "Appropriate"):

  • Meaning: Sometimes, "expected" can describe something that is considered normal or suitable in a particular situation.
  • Examples:
    • "She wore an expected outfit for a formal dinner – a black dress and heels." (It was a typical, appropriate outfit.)
    • "The team's performance was expected after weeks of training." (It was a normal, predictable result.)

Key Differences & Tips:

  • “Expected” as an adjective vs. “Expected” as a verb: Pay attention to the context! If it describes what happened (like “the weather was expected”), it's an adjective. If it describes an action of anticipating, it’s a verb.
  • Perfect Tenses: Remember that using “expected” with “have,” “has,” or “had” is essential for forming perfect tenses that show a connection between past and present.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, consider using synonyms like anticipated, predicted, believed, anticipated, assumed.

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., writing a formal essay, a casual conversation, a specific situation?)
  • Can you provide a sentence where you'd like to use "expected"? (I can then give you feedback on how to phrase it correctly.)

Synonyms for the word expected

Practice with vocabulary expected

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. The project's completion date is _____ to be next month, assuming no further delays.
  2. All team members are _____ to submit their weekly progress reports by Friday afternoon.
  3. Given the current market volatility, a slight downturn in consumer spending is highly _____.
  4. Investor returns are _____ to improve significantly in the third quarter after the new product launch.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all correct answers for each question.

  1. After the successful funding round, the startup's valuation is widely _____ to increase. A) projected B) assumed C) expected D) wished

  2. Employees are _____ to adhere strictly to the company's comprehensive code of conduct. A) supposed B) required C) desired D) expected

  3. Despite initial challenges, the marketing campaign's reach has, quite _____, exceeded all set targets. A) surprisingly B) notably C) broadly D) expectedly

  4. The consultant emphasized the importance of _____ planning to mitigate unforeseen risks in the supply chain. A) meticulous B) predictable C) careful D) foreseeable

  5. Before presenting the findings, researchers must thoroughly _____ any potential biases in their data collection methods. A) anticipate B) assume C) speculate D) ponder

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided.

  1. Original: It is highly probable that the new software update will resolve most of the critical bugs. Rewrite (use "expected"):
  2. Original: Everyone thought the conference attendance would exceed last year's numbers. Rewrite (use "expected" or a related word form):
  3. Original: The official report predicts a significant rise in energy prices next quarter. Rewrite (do NOT use "expected"; use a suitable replacement):

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's completion date is expected to be next month, assuming no further delays.
  2. All team members are required to submit their weekly progress reports by Friday afternoon.
  3. Given the current market volatility, a slight downturn in consumer spending is highly probable.
  4. Investor returns are expected to improve significantly in the third quarter after the new product launch.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) projected, C) expected
  2. B) required, D) expected
  3. D) expectedly
  4. A) meticulous, C) careful
  5. A) anticipate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The new software update is highly expected to resolve most of the critical bugs.
  2. The conference attendance was expected to exceed last year's numbers.
  3. A significant rise in energy prices is anticipated next quarter according to the official report.

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