Surpassing expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Surpassing expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something exceeds what was anticipated or required. Example: "The team's performance this quarter has been remarkable, truly surpassing expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

In general, Miliband is surpassing expectations.

The Guardian - Opinion

[A1.] Profit Rises 11% at Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch reported that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 11percentt, surpassing expectations.

The New York Times

In two television debates, Mr. Duceppe projected the most poise of the four major party leaders, surpassing expectations.

The New York Times

The Treasury repaid £3.7bn last month, surpassing expectations and representing the strongest month since July 2008 for the public finances.

The Guardian - Opinion

[C3.] 2 Retailers Meet or Beat Forecast The Lowe's Companies reported a nearly 28percentt gain in its second-quarter earnings, surpassing expectations.

The New York Times

The market for green bonds has grown 60% this year compared to 2013, surpassing expectations and leading experts to say a niche has now become mainstream.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Instead, it surpassed expectations.

The New Yorker

(Countrywide surpassed expectations, earning $2.4 billion).

The New Yorker

Her rate of recovery surpassed expectations.

Independent

Still, the results surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

All three companies surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surpassing expectations" when you want to emphasize a positive outcome that goes beyond what was initially predicted or hoped for. It's particularly effective in business, sports, or personal development contexts.

Common error

While "surpassing expectations" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "better than expected" or "great" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpassing expectations" functions as a descriptive term, often used to qualify a noun or event. Ludwig provides examples showing how it describes earnings, growth, and performance that exceed anticipated levels. It is used to provide a positive assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surpassing expectations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe outcomes that exceed what was anticipated, according to Ludwig. It is commonly employed in news, business, and general contexts to convey positive achievements. The phrase carries a neutral to professional register and functions descriptively. Based on the analysis of several examples, Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides helpful context for understanding its implications. Some alternatives could be "exceeding expectations" or "outperforming predictions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exceeding what was anticipated

Focuses on the act of going beyond a prior estimate or forecast.

Outperforming predictions

Highlights better results than what was expected by forecasts.

Exceeding the forecast

Similar to outperforming predictions, this is specifically linked to financial metrics.

Outdoing estimates

Implies achieving more than initially calculated or approximated.

Better than expected

A straightforward expression indicating a positive surprise.

Surpassing projections

Focuses on exceeding pre-set targets or models.

Outstripping anticipated results

A more emphatic way of stating the results are far superior to expectations.

Exceeding initial hopes

Highlights that the actual outcome is better than what was originally desired or wished for.

Going above and beyond

Emphasizes extra effort and achieving more than is strictly necessary.

Transcending limitations

Implies overcoming obstacles and achieving exceptionally high standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "surpassing expectations" to describe performance or outcomes that exceed anticipated levels. For example, "The company's earnings this quarter are "surpassing expectations"."

What are some alternatives to "surpassing expectations"?

Alternatives include "exceeding expectations", "outperforming predictions", or "better than expected" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "surpassing expectations"?

It is appropriate to use "surpassing expectations" in formal or professional settings, especially when discussing performance metrics, achievements, or results that have exceeded initial forecasts or goals. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations.

What's the difference between "meeting expectations" and "surpassing expectations"?

"Meeting expectations" indicates that performance or results have reached the anticipated level, while ""surpassing expectations"" signifies that performance or results have exceeded what was initially anticipated, indicating a higher level of success or achievement.