a bigger than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bigger than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever there is something that is larger than anticipated. For example, "The yield on this crop was a bigger than expected, so we had more than enough to sell at the marketplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was a bigger than expected fight — and the allies vowed to go back in again.

The New York Times

"We are not sure exactly what is happening, but we are seeing a bigger than expected effect on the environment".

The New York Times

Meanwhile Kazakhmys climbed 22p to £13.10 following news it had successfully negotiated a bigger than expected loan from China.

The Guardian - Business

A bigger than expected rise in motor insurance prices from Direct Line has seen shares in the sector accelerate.

The Guardian - Business

Now a bigger than expected drop in US crude stocks has suggested growing demand, and pushed prices higher.

The Guardian - Business

See articleBolivia's electoral revolutionEvo Morales, a left-wing cocaworkers' leader of Aymaran-Indian descent, won Bolivia's presidential election by a bigger than expected margin.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Other months, you might get a bigger-than expected monthly payment because interest rates have gone up.

WikiHow

A bigger-than expected increase in emergency hospital admissions for patients aged 85 and over was putting "significant strain" on services.

BBC

The euro fell as a bigger-than-expected jump in productivity bolstered expectations that the United States will continue to lure investors.

The New York Times

Other charges included a bigger-than-expected write-down of 44.6 billion reais, mainly on a flagship petrochemical complex and a big refinery.

The Economist

A year ago the Budget surprise was good news – a bigger-than-expected cut in fuel duty.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bigger than expected" to describe outcomes that have measurably exceeded initial forecasts or predictions. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but ensure the context supports the implication of a prior expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "a bigger than expected" when there was no prior baseline or reasonable expectation to compare against. This phrase implies a specific benchmark that has been surpassed, and its misuse can lead to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bigger than expected" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to qualify a noun by indicating that it is larger or greater than what was initially anticipated or predicted. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bigger than expected" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that surpasses initial expectations. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure there's a clear baseline expectation to compare against. Consider using synonyms such as "larger than anticipated" or "exceeding expectations" for slight variations in tone or emphasis. The usage patterns indicate it's most frequently found in news and media sources, highlighting its role in reporting unexpected outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Larger than anticipated

Replaces "expected" with "anticipated", offering a more formal tone.

Exceeding expectations

Shifts the focus to the act of surpassing expectations, rather than the size difference.

Greater than foreseen

Uses "foreseen" for a more predictive nuance, implying something was not adequately planned for.

More substantial than predicted

Emphasizes the significance of the difference between prediction and reality.

Beyond what was projected

Highlights the act of going beyond a specific projection or forecast.

An overestimation

Focuses on the initial miscalculation, implying the expectation was too low.

More extensive than thought

Emphasizes a broader scope or reach than originally conceived.

Surprisingly large

Highlights the unexpected nature of the size, adding an element of surprise.

Unexpectedly significant

Shifts the focus to the importance or impact of the unexpected size.

Out of proportion to expectations

Suggests the actual size is disproportionately large compared to the original expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "a bigger than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "a bigger than expected" to describe a situation where the actual outcome surpassed the anticipated outcome. For example, "The company reported "a bigger than expected profit" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a bigger than expected"?

Alternatives include "larger than anticipated", "exceeding expectations", or "greater than foreseen". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a bigger than expected"?

Yes, the phrase "a bigger than expected" is grammatically correct. It is commonly used in both written and spoken English to describe something that is larger or greater than what was anticipated.

What's the difference between "a bigger than expected" and "larger than expected"?

While both phrases are similar, "a bigger than expected" may imply a more substantial or impactful difference compared to the initial expectation. "Larger than expected" is a more direct comparison of size.