01
erwartet
expected
As one had assumed, foreseen, or imagined; in line with expectations.
example
Der erwartete Anstieg der Verkaufszahlen ist leider ausgeblieben.
The expected increase in sales figures unfortunately did not materialize.
erwartet
expected
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Erwartet' (expected) is the past participle of the verb 'erwarten' (to expect). It is used as an adjective to describe something that one had foreseen or assumed.
EXAMPLE
Das erwartete Ergebnis trat nicht ein.
The expected result did not occur.
Word order
The expression 'wie erwartet' (as expected) often appears at the beginning of a sentence and is set off with a comma. It does not change the word order of the following main clause (subject in position 1, verb in position 2).
EXAMPLE
Wie erwartet, war der Zug verspätet.
As expected, the train was delayed.
Word order with inversion
When the expression 'wider Erwarten' (contrary to expectations) stands at the beginning of a sentence (position 1), the verb follows directly in position 2. This is called inversion.
EXAMPLE
Wider Erwarten schien am Nachmittag die Sonne.
Contrary to expectations, the sun shone in the afternoon.
Compare with
erwartet vs überraschend
surprising
'überraschend' and 'erwartet' are opposites. You use 'überraschend' when something turns out differently than you thought, or when you had not expected it. 'Erwartet' means that something happens as you had previously assumed. If a result is normal or predictable, 'erwartet' fits. If it is sudden or different, 'überraschend' fits.
erwartet
Das Ergebnis war erwartet, weil das Team schon die ganze Saison stark gespielt hat.
The result was expected because the team had played strongly all season.
überraschend
Auf der Feier hat er überraschend seine alte Lehrerin getroffen.
At the party, he unexpectedly met his old teacher.
In real life
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