exceeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is greater than a specified amount or limit. Example: "The project's budget exceeds our initial estimates, requiring us to reassess our financial plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadr's popularity among Shias far exceeds that of that Dawa Party which Maliki leads, or the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) of his ally, Ayatollah Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, which has its own militia, the Badr Brigades.

The Guardian - Opinion

And at a mere two minutes, the mordant hilarity and conceptual perfection of Dutch mortality study A Single Life exceeds what many films achieve in 90 or more.

The Guardian - Film

The number of ethnic minority voters exceeds the sitting MP's majority in six of Birmingham's 10 seats, both seats in Blackpool, Brighton, Newport, Northampton, Norwich, Ipswich, Plymouth and Portsmouth, all three of Southampton's seats, and in Newcastle and battleground London seats.

The Guardian

It's now a question of when, not if, Mr Turner exceeds that figure.

The Guardian - Film

"Findings of our analysis suggest that the capacity of Ebola virus disease treatment centres needed to reduce the severity of the current outbreak greatly exceeds current international commitments," the authors write.

The Guardian

The number of Iowa chickens lost exceeds 26m, the vast majority of which lay eggs for food use.

The Guardian

Along with a comprehensive whiskey list that currently exceeds 90 varieties, Deutsch is always offering a couple of seasonal in-house infusion cocktails, like The Rubino Rosemary Vodka or Blueberry Gin.

The Guardian - Travel

We can help them to get access to the right people but it appears that demand far exceeds existing capacity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The removal of subsidies on coal, gasoline, and diesel – which in developing countries often generate income that exceeds what is spent on health care and education – can both reduce exposure to disease-causing pollutants and free up funds to spend on public services.

The Guardian

Average GDP per head in Equatorial Guinea, at $21,715 £14,0155), now exceeds the $17,776 of Poland, for example; but life expectancy is just 51, against 76 in Poland.

The Guardian - Business

Verdict: Around 42,000 Hippo rollers have been sold in 21 African countries and demand exceeds supply.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceeds", ensure the context clearly defines what is being surpassed. Providing specific metrics or comparatives strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeds" with abstract nouns where 'surpasses' or 'goes beyond' might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying 'His enthusiasm exceeds', consider 'His enthusiasm surpasses expectations'.

Linguistic Context

The verb "exceeds" primarily functions to indicate that something is greater than a specified limit or standard. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its usage in describing quantities, performance, or expectations being surpassed. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceeds" is a grammatically sound verb used to express that something surpasses a specific limit or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and business contexts, and its register is generally neutral. When writing, it's best to use "exceeds" with tangible nouns and clearly defined contexts, thus enhancing the impact of the message. While "surpasses" and other alternatives exist, "exceeds" remains a direct and widely understood choice for conveying that a threshold has been exceeded.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeds expectations

Specifically refers to surpassing anticipated outcomes or standards.

surpasses

Indicates that something goes beyond or excels, similar to exceeding but often with an implication of superiority.

outstrips

Implies exceeding in a competitive sense, often used to describe surpassing others in performance or growth.

goes beyond

A more literal way of expressing exceeding, emphasizing the action of moving past a limit.

outdoes

Suggests exceeding in achievement or action, often implying a deliberate effort to surpass.

transcends

Implies exceeding limitations or boundaries, often in a more abstract or philosophical sense.

overshadows

Means to exceed to the point of obscuring or diminishing something else, focusing on the relative impact.

eclipses

Similar to overshadows, implying that one thing exceeds another to the point of making it less significant.

outweighs

Suggests exceeding in importance or influence, emphasizing the relative weight or value.

rises above

Indicates exceeding a difficult situation or challenge, often used in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How do I use "exceeds" in a sentence?

Use "exceeds" to indicate that something is greater than a specified amount or limit. For example, "The budget "exceeds" our initial estimates."

What can I say instead of "exceeds"?

You can use alternatives like "surpasses", "outstrips", or "goes beyond" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exceeds expectations"?

Yes, "exceeds expectations" is a common and correct usage. It means something has surpassed what was anticipated or predicted.

What's the difference between "exceeds" and "surpasses"?

While both words indicate something goes beyond a limit, "exceeds" is more general, while "surpasses" often implies superiority or excelling.