exceed targets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceed targets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to performance, goals, or objectives, particularly in business or project management. Example: "Our team has worked hard this quarter and we are proud to report that we have exceeded targets in sales and customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Says Lay, "I'm responsible for managing my team to generate revenue, hit and exceed targets.

The Guardian - Money

As a provider you are under a lot of pressure to meet targets and exceed targets.

The Guardian

"From my own experience, staff are subjected to constant and aggressive pressure to meet and exceed targets.

The Guardian

But UK BA staff did meet or exceed targets on seizing class-A drugs and guns in the first half.

The Guardian

(Many of her employees disagree; the district was unusual in that it required a certain percentage of students to exceed targets each year).

The New Yorker

In order to receive a bonus – which can be as high as £200 per month – you have to exceed targets in four areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Maybe because our field representatives were driven to succeed, to maximize profits, to meet or exceed target sales numbers by any means necessary.

The New Yorker

But results exceeded targets by over $20 million.

Independent

After all, they're delivering results and exceeding targets.

Harvard Business Review

We've exceeded targets for preventing homelessness and getting people into paid employment".

The Guardian

It said the government, bolstered by foreign aid, had exceeded targets for spending on health, education and antipoverty programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceed targets", clearly quantify the degree of overachievement to emphasize impact. For example, specify "exceeded targets by 20%".

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you "exceeded targets" without providing context or specific data. Always include metrics to demonstrate the extent of your success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed targets" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of surpassing established goals or objectives. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing successful performance and achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Opinion

7%

Academic

3%

Cover Letter

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceed targets" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe surpassing established goals or objectives, as validated by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in news, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. To ensure effective communication, quantify the extent of overachievement when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "surpass goals" or "outperform expectations" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "exceed targets" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass goals

Replaces "targets" with "goals", indicating a similar but potentially broader objective.

outperform expectations

Shifts focus from specific targets to general expectations, implying a more significant overachievement.

beat projections

More specific to forecasts and estimates, suggesting exceeding predicted outcomes.

top benchmarks

Implies exceeding established standards or benchmarks, suitable in performance-driven contexts.

better results

More general, focusing on achieving superior outcomes without necessarily referencing pre-defined targets.

improve performance

Focuses on the act of enhancing performance, which can lead to exceeding targets as a result.

go beyond objectives

Highlights exceeding the intended aims, often used in project management or strategic planning.

overachieve aims

Emphasizes accomplishing more than the intended objectives.

exceed expectations

Highlights surpassing what was anticipated, indicating a level of surprise or delight.

reach a higher level

More abstract, indicating general advancement beyond the current state.

FAQs

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

You can use "exceed targets" to describe surpassing pre-defined goals or objectives. For instance, "Our sales team "exceeded targets" by 15% this quarter".

What's a professional synonym for "exceed targets"?

In professional settings, you can use phrases like "surpass goals", "outperform expectations", or "beat projections" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "exceed targets" or "exceed expectations"?

The choice depends on the context. "Exceed targets" refers to surpassing specific, measurable goals, while "exceed expectations" refers to surpassing anticipated results, which may be less precisely defined.

What does it mean to "exceed targets" in a business context?

In business, "exceed targets" typically means surpassing pre-set sales goals, revenue targets, or other key performance indicators, indicating strong performance.