be larger than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be larger than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing outcomes, results, or measurements that exceed initial predictions or assumptions. Example: "The turnout for the event was larger than expected, leading to a need for additional seating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

(A few large parties had turned out to be larger than expected).

The New York Times - Travel

Under such conditions, the concentration of counterions in the vicinity of the surface would be larger than expected.

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

As C.E.O., she will succeed Kal Raman, who stepped down in June after the company, based in Bellevue, Wash., said its quarterly loss would be larger than expected.

The New York Times

Samsung says it "expects the scope of price declines in main memory chip products to be larger than expected". Competitors probably feel the same.

The New York Times - Tech

The city's budget deficit could be larger than expected next year, in part because the Department of Education overspent its budget by $236 million last year, according to a report released yesterday by the state comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi.

The New York Times

Gilat Satellite Systems, which makes equipment that links telephone networks by satellite, said its second-quarter losses would be larger than expected, in part because of debts it might not be able to collect from WorldCom.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The surplus is larger than expected, so the actual decline in Eurozone GDP may be less than the "expected decline in GDP" due to austerity.

Huffington Post

The decline was larger than expected.

The Economist

The COI change has been larger than expected, very abrupt.

The Guardian

She had overrun because the tumour was larger than expected.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Analysts said the profit downgrade had been larger than expected.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be larger than expected" when you want to express surprise or note that something is bigger or greater than initially anticipated. This phrase effectively conveys a deviation from a prior expectation, often implying a need to reassess or adjust plans.

Common error

Avoid using "be larger than expected" in situations where the comparison lacks a reasonable initial expectation. For example, describing the sun as "be larger than expected" is illogical, because there's a universally accepted knowledge of its size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be larger than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is greater in size, amount, or extent than what was initially anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be larger than expected" is a common and correct phrase used to describe something exceeding initial anticipations in size, amount, or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees use across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure a logical basis for the initial expectation exists. For alternatives, consider phrases like "exceed initial projections" or "turn out to be greater than anticipated" to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn out to be greater than anticipated

Highlights the element of surprise when something is discovered to be bigger.

prove to be bigger than foreseen

Indicates that a later discovery reveals a size greater than initially thought.

be more extensive than predicted

Focuses on how scope/quantity goes beyond initial estimates.

exceed initial projections

Emphasizes a deviation from a prior calculated estimation.

prove to be more substantial than anticipated

Emphasizes quantity and overall size being more than initially conceived.

outstrip original forecasts

Suggests a degree of increase that overcomes earlier predictions.

surpass preliminary calculations

Emphasizes a more complex calculation has been proved inaccurate.

come in higher than projected

Expresses the idea of surpassing a set expectation during a measurement.

go beyond preliminary estimations

Highlights the act of surpassing an initial vague calculation.

turn out more significant than expected

The emphasis shifts to impact, but the idea of it being over original thought remains.

FAQs

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

You can use "be larger than expected" to describe outcomes, results, or measurements that exceed initial predictions or assumptions. For instance: "The project's budget "was larger than expected", requiring additional funding."

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

Alternatives include "exceed initial projections", "turn out to be greater than anticipated", or "prove to be bigger than foreseen", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "be larger than expected"?

While generally correct, ensure the context warrants an element of surprise or deviation from a reasonable expectation. Avoid using it in situations where the size or extent is universally known or obvious.

What's the difference between "be larger than expected" and "be better than expected"?

"Be larger than expected" specifically refers to the size or extent, whereas "be better than expected" refers to the quality or outcome. Use the former when discussing physical dimensions or quantities and the latter when evaluating performance or results.