exceed expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exceed expectations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has gone beyond a standard or exceeded an expectation. For example: "The student's exemplary performance in the exam exceeded expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is rare for players to exceed expectations when management expects a championship.

The New York Times - Sports

"We expected them to exceed expectations on both numbers.

The New York Times - Tech

General Mills, however, expects growth to meet or exceed expectations through 2009.

Forbes

Others, though, exceed expectations.

The New Yorker

We will exceed expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

Thankfully, some writers exceed expectations.

The New York Times - Books

We want to exceed expectations".

The New York Times

Pitching has to exceed expectations".

The New York Times - Sports

OUTLOOK -- Their new additions must exceed expectations.

The New York Times

Other results will also exceed expectations.

The New York Times

Because of inflation, revenues always exceed expectations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceed expectations" to highlight achievements or results that are notably better than what was anticipated, creating a positive and impressive effect.

Common error

Avoid using "exceed expectations" sarcastically or in situations where the outcome is negative. It's best suited for genuinely positive scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed expectations" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of surpassing a predicted or anticipated level of performance or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceed expectations" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe outcomes that surpass what was anticipated. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct. With a strong presence in news and media, and also in formal and science domains, it's suitable for various contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to employ it in genuinely positive contexts to highlight remarkable achievements, and not in negative or sarcastic cases. Alternatives such as "surpass expectations" or "outperform expectations" can be used to inject variety while conveying a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass expectations

Emphasis on going beyond the expected level.

outperform expectations

Highlights achieving better results than predicted.

excel beyond expectations

Stresses exceptional performance that goes above and beyond.

beat expectations

Indicates a successful outcome that surpasses anticipated targets.

go above and beyond

Focuses on the effort and actions taken to exceed what was required.

overdeliver

Highlights providing more than what was promised or expected.

transcend expectations

Suggests a performance that moves far beyond ordinary expectations.

top expectations

Focuses on reaching a level higher than what was anticipated.

better than expected

A general statement indicating a positive surprise in performance.

come out on top

Highlights achieving better results than predicted.

FAQs

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

You can use "exceed expectations" to describe a performance or result that surpasses what was predicted or hoped for. For example: "The company's profits "exceeded expectations" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "exceed expectations"?

Some alternatives include "surpass expectations", "outperform expectations", or "go above and beyond" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "exceeds expectations" instead of "exceed expectations"?

Yes, but the correct form depends on the subject. Use "exceed expectations" for plural subjects (e.g., "They exceed expectations"), and "exceeds expectations" for singular subjects (e.g., "He exceeds expectations").

What is the difference between "meet expectations" and "exceed expectations"?

"Meet expectations" means that something performs as anticipated, while "exceed expectations" means that it performs better than anticipated. Therefore, exceeding implies a higher level of achievement.