exceeding the norm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeding the norm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that goes beyond what is considered standard or typical. Example: "The athlete's performance was remarkable, exceeding the norm for his age group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Market Opportunity: Investors tend to look for huge markets (at least $500 million) to exploit or a market that is growing at a rate far exceeding the norm (at least 10% per year).

Forbes

More on the 12 categories in the TVA "radar graph": Market Opportunity: Investors tend to look for huge markets (at least $500 million) to exploit or a market that is growing at a rate far exceeding the norm (at least 10% per year).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some turnover is normal, but several inspectors general said the extent of these changes exceeded the norm.

The New York Times

Parents and schools sometimes make choices that hurt children, and some children have problems that exceed the norm.

The New York Times

It sounds ridiculous, given that three children already exceeds the norm, but four children always struck me as far too many.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even considering the style of rich American families in the early part of the century, her parents, Eugene and Agnes Meyer, seem to have exceeded the norm for emotional reticence.

The New Yorker

Reporting on CNL last Friday, two Green Street analysts, John Arabia and Mike Kirby, said the acquisition fees the company planned to pay its external adviser vastly exceeded the norm.

The New York Times

In time, he became skilled in Mandarin, an attainment that likely reflected not only professionalism but also a respect for the Chinese that exceeded the norm for proselytizers.

The New Yorker

Garbo's quest for the Real Thing, love, was more the rule, even if her capacity for enduring squalor and shame in the cause of it far exceeded the norm.

The New York Times - Arts

Vision is inevitably precious to an artist who finds his subjects in the world around him, and in Woman at the Window the light takes on a value and importance that exceeds the norm.

The Guardian - Arts

The Hawthorne researchers were not the first to recognize that work groups tend to arrive at norms for what is "a fair day's work," restricting their production below that point even when they are physically able to exceed the norm and would be financially rewarded for it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceeding the norm" to highlight situations where performance or results significantly surpass expected levels, especially in statistical or quantifiable contexts. This accurately conveys that something is not just good, but exceptionally so.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeding the norm" when simply describing something positive without a clear reference point or statistical basis. Ensure there's an actual 'norm' to exceed, or the phrase becomes vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeding the norm" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state or condition that goes beyond what is considered standard or typical. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is generally used correctly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceeding the norm" is grammatically correct and signifies surpassing a standard or typical level. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly to emphasize exceptional performance or results. While "exceeding the norm" is versatile, it's most frequently found in news media and scientific contexts. Be mindful to use it when there's a clear reference point to prevent vagueness. Alternatives like "surpassing the standard" or "outperforming expectations" can provide nuanced variations, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing the standard

Replaces "norm" with "standard" and "exceeding" with "surpassing", focusing on a benchmark of quality or achievement.

surpassing the typical

Directly substitutes "norm" with "typical", maintaining the core meaning with minimal change.

outperforming expectations

Shifts the focus to performance relative to expectations, rather than a general norm.

going beyond the average

Uses a more statistical term "average" instead of "norm", suggesting a quantitative measure.

above the ordinary

Emphasizes the quality of being exceptional, rather than exceeding a defined norm.

better than usual

Uses simple and direct language to indicate something is superior to the typical state.

transcending typicality

Employs a more formal tone, suggesting a move beyond ordinary limitations.

excelling beyond the baseline

Replaces "norm" with "baseline", implying a measurable starting point that has been surpassed.

rising above convention

Conveys the idea of surpassing established customs or practices, rather than just a statistical norm.

surmounting the commonplace

Similar to rising above convention, but emphasizes overcoming the mundane or routine.

FAQs

How can I use "exceeding the norm" in a sentence?

You can use "exceeding the norm" to describe situations where something surpasses the expected or average level. For example, "The company's profits were remarkable, "exceeding the norm" for this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "exceeding the norm"?

Alternatives include "surpassing the standard", "outperforming expectations", or "going beyond the average", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "exceeding the norm" or "exceeding the average"?

Both phrases are valid, but "exceeding the norm" implies comparison against an established standard, while "exceeding the average" suggests comparison against a calculated average. The best choice depends on whether you are comparing against a general rule or a specific data set.

When should I use "exceeding the norm" versus "meeting expectations"?

"Exceeding the norm" should be used when performance or results surpass what is typically expected, whereas "meeting expectations" indicates that performance or results align with what was anticipated, without surpassing it.