exceed the target

USAGE SUMMARY

"exceed the target" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about reaching a certain goal or benchmark. For example, "The sales team was able to exceed the target of 500 units for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

If they exceed the target, they absorb part of the loss.

The New York Times

But more students accepted Princeton's offer than anticipated, and the University expected that enrollment this month would exceed the target by 53 students.

Princeton University

A deepening social-security hole will add 1% of GDP to this year's budget deficit, so it may exceed the target of 6.3% set by the European Commission.

The Economist

Rate control at the macroblock level ensures that the total bit rate of all descriptions does not exceed the target rate.

Signal Processing: Image Communication

What's more, fully 35percentt of the most recently issued loan pools in the index have delinquency rates that exceed the target levels specified when they were sold to investors.

The New York Times

Mr Palocci had already begun a pre-election spending spree: this year's primary surplus is unlikely to exceed the target of 4¼% of GDP, well below last year's 4.8%.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Tim Byles, head of PfS, said it was expecting to exceed the targets.

The Guardian

"It is mathematically impossible for us not to exceed the targets we set out for 2010," Mr. Marchionne said.

The New York Times

I have every belief in his ability to take us far and even exceed the targets set for him by the [Ivory Coast] Football Federation.

The Guardian - Sport

This number exceeds the target of 980 chosen for dormitory decrowding purposes by only five students.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Within a few days people had donated more than DKK 160,000 (£15,000), far exceeding the target.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In data-driven reports, quantify how much the target was exceeded to provide additional context and impact. Instead of just stating "exceed the target", specify "exceed the target by 15%".

Common error

Avoid using "exceed the target" when you simply want to say you've reached the target. This phrase specifically implies surpassing or going beyond what was initially set as the objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed the target" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to indicate that a specific goal or benchmark has been surpassed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceed the target" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that clearly communicates the surpassing of a predetermined goal or benchmark. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and accuracy. Predominantly found in news, science, and academic contexts, the phrase is versatile enough for formal reporting while remaining accessible. Alternatives like "surpass the target" offer a more formal tone, while "beat the target" implies a competitive aspect. When using this phrase, ensure you're truly indicating performance beyond the initial goal, not simply reaching it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surpass the target

Uses a more formal verb, 'surpass', implying a greater degree of achievement beyond the target.

Exceed the goal

Substitutes "target" with "goal", a more general term for an objective.

Outstrip the target

Employs a less common verb, 'outstrip', suggesting moving beyond the target is easier.

Overshoot the target

Implies that the target was passed by mistake or unintentionally.

Top the target

Uses the verb 'top', suggesting reaching a high point exceeding expectations.

Beat the target

Uses 'beat' to convey a sense of competition or triumph over the target.

Go beyond the target

More descriptive, emphasizing the act of moving past a specific point.

Exceed expectations

Shifts focus from a specific number (target) to general expectations.

Surpass benchmarks

Replaces "target" with "benchmarks", which implies external criteria have been met.

Outperform expectations

Uses 'outperform' to specifically highlight a better result or achievement than expected.

FAQs

How can I use "exceed the target" in a sentence?

You can use "exceed the target" to describe surpassing a predetermined goal, such as "The marketing campaign's success allowed us to exceed the target for new customer acquisitions."

What is a more formal alternative to "exceed the target"?

A more formal alternative to "exceed the target" is "surpass the target", which implies a greater degree of achievement.

Is it better to say "exceed the target" or "reach the target"?

"Exceed the target" indicates going beyond the intended goal, while "reach the target" simply means achieving it. The choice depends on whether you surpassed the goal or merely met it.

What does it mean when a company "exceeds expectations"?

When a company "exceeds expectations", it means their performance or results are better than what was anticipated. This can be similar to "exceed the target", but it refers to general expectations rather than a specific, numerical goal.