se esperaba

was expected

→ se
phrase Uncommon #13,823
was expected Uses the impersonal or passive se construction; depending on context, it can also mean “people expected.”
SP: Se esperaba que llegara temprano.
EN: It was expected that he would arrive early.

Sé que ninguno de ustedes se esperaba esto.

I know none of you expected this.

— Viaje a las estrellas II: La ira de Khan (1982)

La película fue mucho mejor de lo que se esperaba.

The movie was much better than expected.

John lo hizo incluso mejor de lo que se esperaba.

John did even better than expected.

Tom no sabía exactamente que se esperaba de él.

Tom didn’t know exactly what was expected of him.

Mary no se esperaba a que Tom le ayudara.

Mary didn't expect Tom to help her.

Tal como se esperaba, él aprobó el examen.

As expected, he passed the exam.

Nadie se esperaba esto de Tom.

Nobody expected this from Tom.

Lamentablemente, los resultados nunca fueron tan buenos como se esperaba.

Unfortunately, the results were never as good as expected.

Tal como se esperaba, él ganó el premio.

As expected, he won the prize.

Tendría que pagarle por eso; era más de lo que se esperaba que hiciera.

I should pay him for that; it was more than he was expected to do.

Y eso era lo que se esperaba.

And that was what was expected.

— Dangal (2016)

Como se esperaba.

As expected.

— 3 Idiotas (2009)