a larger than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a larger than expected" is correct, and it can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "The company reported a larger than expected profit for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This has led to a larger than expected volume of claims for us to process.

The Guardian - Money

This is squeezing consumers: household spending slumped by a larger than expected 3.3% in the 12 months to June.

The Economist

But BAE Systems has climbed 10p to 504p after an upbeat note from RBC, saying the company should benefit from a larger than expected US defence budget.

The Guardian - Business

Finally William Hill was in demand after it took full control of its online business, despite funding the move with a larger than expected cash call on shareholders.

The Guardian - Business

But both of these trends may be overshadowed by a larger than expected number of people -- mainly whites -- who were counted twice.

The New York Times

But Chilean copper miner Antofagasta has gained ground after unveiling a larger than expected dividend hike despite a 30% drop in full year profits to $2.7bn.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The struggling computer maker Gateway Inc. warned yesterday that it expected to post a larger-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter because of disappointing holiday sales.

The New York Times

The company's adjusted loss of $0.01 was better than expectations of a larger-than-expected $0.02 loss per share.

TechCrunch

Retail sales fell by a larger-than-expected 3.7%, the largest monthly drop since 1992.

Forbes

The change leads to a larger-than-expected transformation.

The New York Times

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index showed a larger-than-expected drop in confidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a larger than expected" in your writing, ensure the context clearly establishes what the initial expectation was. This provides a stronger basis for understanding the significance of the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "a larger than expected" without clearly defining the expected value or range. Without a clear reference point, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a larger than expected" typically functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun by indicating that its size or quantity exceeds what was previously anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a larger than expected" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that has exceeded initial anticipations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the original expectation. Alternatives like "more substantial than anticipated" or "greater than foreseen" can add nuance, but it is important to maintain a clear reference point to avoid vagueness. Its neutral register makes it versatile for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more substantial than anticipated

Replaces 'larger' with 'more substantial' and 'expected' with 'anticipated', altering the wording while keeping the overall meaning intact.

greater than foreseen

Substitutes 'larger' with 'greater' and 'expected' with 'foreseen', providing a slightly more formal tone.

exceeding initial projections

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression conveying the same concept.

bigger than initially thought

Uses 'bigger' instead of 'larger' and 'thought' instead of 'expected', making it slightly more informal.

more pronounced than predicted

Employs 'more pronounced' to emphasize the degree of difference and 'predicted' for a slightly different nuance.

beyond original estimates

Uses 'beyond' to highlight exceeding a boundary and 'estimates' to relate to calculations.

surpassing prior forecasts

Replaces the phrase with a formal expression indicating that something has gone beyond what was predicted.

more significant than anticipated

Substitutes 'larger' with 'more significant', focusing on the importance or impact of the difference.

unexpectedly substantial

Condenses the phrase into an adjective emphasizing both the lack of anticipation and the size.

surprisingly extensive

Highlights the unexpected nature and the broad scope or reach of something.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to describe something that exceeds prior anticipations. For instance, "The company reported "a larger than expected" profit this quarter." It indicates that the profit was more than initially predicted or anticipated.

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

Alternatives include "more substantial than anticipated", "greater than foreseen", or "exceeding initial projections". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a larger than expected" or should I use "larger than expected"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but "a larger than expected" is generally preferred when you're referring to a singular, countable noun (e.g., "a larger than expected increase"). "Larger than expected" without the article can also be correct, particularly when describing an adjective (e.g. "the larger than expected impact").

What is the difference between "a larger than expected" and "larger than expected"?

The presence of the article "a" usually indicates that the phrase is modifying a singular noun. For example, you might say "There was "a larger than expected" turnout at the event." The omission of "a" may be more suitable when used as an adjective before another adjective, such as "the larger than expected negative impact."