exceeding expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exceeding expectations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone or something does better than what was anticipated or expected. For example: "Jane has been exceeding expectations at her new job, and everyone is very impressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roy Hodgson is exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

You're no longer meeting and exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

Ticket sales surpassed 30,000, exceeding expectations by 50percentt.

The New York Times

The company began the critical holiday season by exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

But what I've always been about is exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Orlando qualified in ninth place, exceeding expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

The first edition of 18,000 copies sold out in the first few months, exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Books

Midway through its first season, the M.L.L. is meeting, and in some cases exceeding, expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Just behind Gonzalez at.353 was Lance Berkman of Houston, another player who is exceeding expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Zeglis has just about made a career at AT&T in exceeding expectations.

The New York Times

The rapper's new film, Are We There Yet? took $18.5m£9.83m3m), far exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "exceeding expectations" to highlight positive outcomes or exceptional performance, rather than in situations where results simply meet the initial targets.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeding expectations" as a generic compliment without quantifiable evidence. Instead, focus on describing precise achievements and their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeding expectations" functions as a verbal phrase often used to describe a performance, result, or outcome that surpasses what was initially anticipated or predicted. Ludwig shows its widespread use across various contexts, reinforcing its role as a descriptor of surpassing anticipated results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceeding expectations" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that describes performance or results that surpass initial anticipations. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage across diverse contexts, mainly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, which implies a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity and credibility, it is recommended to support the phrase with specific data or examples. Alternatives like "surpassing expectations", "outperforming expectations", and "excelling beyond forecasts" can be employed for variety and precision, depending on the context. Using "exceeding expectations" in vague terms should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing expectations

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing a higher level of achievement.

outperforming expectations

This alternative highlights a competitive aspect, suggesting better performance relative to others or benchmarks.

excelling beyond forecasts

This alternative specifically relates to forecasts or predictions, implying a higher degree of success than anticipated.

outstripping projections

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes exceeding specific projections or targets.

better than anticipated

This alternative is a more straightforward and simple way of expressing the concept.

going above and beyond

This alternative emphasizes extra effort and dedication in exceeding what was expected.

overachieving goals

This alternative emphasizes the accomplishment of goals at a level higher than initially set.

passing set targets

This alternative focuses on targets or standards that have been successfully passed.

transcending limitations

This alternative highlights the overcoming of limitations to achieve greater success.

blowing past predictions

This alternative is an informal way to say results greatly exceeded what was expected

FAQs

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

You can use "exceeding expectations" to describe performance that surpasses initial forecasts or targets. For example, "The company's profits are "exceeding expectations" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "exceeding expectations"?

Some alternatives include "surpassing expectations", "outperforming expectations", or "excelling beyond forecasts", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exceeding expectations" or "meeting expectations"?

"Exceeding expectations" implies a higher level of achievement compared to simply "meeting expectations". Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the actual performance or outcome.

What does it mean when something is described as "exceeding expectations"?

When something is described as "exceeding expectations", it means that its performance, results, or outcomes have surpassed what was initially predicted or anticipated.