Exceeding expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Exceeding expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that someone or something has gone beyond what was anticipated or required. Example: "The team's performance this quarter has been outstanding, truly exceeding expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roy Hodgson is exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

You're no longer meeting and exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

Ticket sales surpassed 30,000, exceeding expectations by 50percentt.

The New York Times

The company began the critical holiday season by exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

But what I've always been about is exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Orlando qualified in ninth place, exceeding expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

The first edition of 18,000 copies sold out in the first few months, exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Books

Midway through its first season, the M.L.L. is meeting, and in some cases exceeding, expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Just behind Gonzalez at.353 was Lance Berkman of Houston, another player who is exceeding expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Zeglis has just about made a career at AT&T in exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

The rapper's new film, Are We There Yet? took $18.5m£9.83m3m), far exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceeding expectations", ensure the context clearly defines what expectations are being surpassed for maximum impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid generically stating that something is "exceeding expectations" without providing specific evidence or metrics to support the claim. Always quantify or qualify how expectations are being exceeded for credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeding expectations" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often used to qualify a noun or pronoun. It highlights the degree to which something has surpassed what was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and common occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceeding expectations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys a positive evaluation by indicating that something has surpassed what was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a professional tone and functions to describe performance or results that are remarkably better than projected. When using the phrase, ensure you qualify what expectations are being exceeded to avoid vagueness and enhance credibility. Alternatives such as "surpassing expectations" or "outperforming expectations" can be used to vary your writing while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surpassing expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "surpassing", a synonym that conveys a similar meaning of going beyond.

Beyond expectations

Uses "beyond" instead of "exceeding", offering a simpler way to express surpassing.

Outperforming expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "outperforming", emphasizing a superior level of achievement.

Transcending expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "transcending", suggesting a more significant degree of surpassing.

Surmounting expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "surmounting", highlighting the overcoming of anticipated limits.

Exceeding the projected results

Specifies that the expectations are related to projected results, making it more precise.

Exceeding anticipated levels

Adds "anticipated levels" to specify what is being exceeded, focusing on measured results.

Surpassing all predictions

Emphasizes the predictive aspect by stating that all predictions have been surpassed.

Shattering expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "shattering", implying a dramatic and significant surpassing of expectations.

Breaking all records

Indicates a significant surpassing of expectations by suggesting that records have been broken.

FAQs

What does "exceeding expectations" mean?

The phrase "exceeding expectations" means that something or someone has performed better than anticipated or predicted. It implies a level of achievement that surpasses the initial benchmarks or goals.

How can I use "exceeding expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "exceeding expectations" to describe performance, results, or outcomes. For example, "The company's profits this quarter are "surpassing expectations"." or "The student's performance is "far exceeding expectations"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "exceeding expectations"?

Alternatives include "outperforming expectations", "surpassing expectations", "going beyond expectations", or "exceeding projections", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "exceeding expectations" in professional writing?

It is appropriate to use "exceeding expectations" in reports, presentations, and performance reviews when you want to highlight accomplishments that go beyond the initially set targets or goals. Make sure to provide specific examples and data to support your claims.