excelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excelling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that is performing exceptionally well or surpassing standards in a particular area. Example: "She is excelling in her studies, consistently achieving top grades in all her subjects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dino was now regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Italy, excelling in every facet of his game.

The Guardian - Sport

With Grant Leadbitter excelling in midfield, Boro can be extremely convincing but Karanka's critics wonder whether he is overfond of rotation – and loans.

The Guardian - Sport

"I see very few Chinese managers excelling in one area," he says.

The Economist

At SAP, too, he went through several incarnations, starting in software development before excelling on the business side.

The Economist

He soon proved wrong the coaches at universities with far stronger basketball programmes by excelling for the Crimson.

The Economist

But even most of those women who prefer to cling to the belief that aggression and competition are pre-eminently male virtues (or vices) like a good spectacle, and are able to share in the sheer joy of excelling.

The Economist

"Enjoying reading" and "excelling in music" are howlers in eduspeak.In this section Tough justice Thanks, Gordon Point of no return?

The Economist

Only when we played it to friends and family, and then the record company, and got their reactions did we see it could be a hit".Destined for 10cc's third album, "The Original Soundtrack", "I'm Not in Love" went to number one at the end of June 1975 and stayed there for two weeks.It was the group's first love song they generally preferred irony, excelling at word play and musical parody.

The Economist

"It's an example of the BBC at its very best," she gushed, "what we all remember it excelling at throughout our lives".

The Economist

They have done this by excelling in areas that demand constant, incremental innovation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's this sense of belonging and close-knit community, as well as the academic experience, which gives Sheffield its edge when it comes to excelling in student experience and why, two years after graduating, I'm still here.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excelling" to highlight exceptional performance that surpasses typical expectations or standards. This emphasizes a level of achievement beyond mere competence.

Common error

Avoid using "excelling" excessively in very formal documents where more understated terms like "succeeding" or "performing well" might be more appropriate. Consider the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "excelling" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig shows it functions to describe an ongoing state of superior performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "excelling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used present participle that highlights exceptional performance or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, though perhaps less fitting in overly formal settings where a more understated term is preferable. Its high frequency in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications underscores its broad applicability. While alternatives like "thriving" and "succeeding" may sometimes be appropriate, "excelling" specifically emphasizes surpassing expectations. Remember to use "excelling" to spotlight superior performance and outstanding achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thriving

Indicates vigorous growth and success, often implying a continuous upward trajectory.

succeeding

Suggests achieving a desired outcome or reaching a set goal.

exceeding expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated performance levels.

shining

Implies outstanding performance, often in a noticeable or impressive way.

outperforming

Directly compares performance against others or previous benchmarks.

standing out

Highlights being noticeably better than others in a specific field.

surpassing

Indicates going beyond a limit or boundary, often related to achievement.

progressing rapidly

Focuses on the speed and degree of advancement in a particular skill or area.

dominating

Suggests a position of power and superior performance within a competitive context.

flourishing

Similar to thriving but often used in contexts emphasizing overall well-being and positive development.

FAQs

How can I use "excelling" in a sentence?

You can use "excelling" to describe someone or something that is performing exceptionally well. For example, "She is "excelling" in her studies", or "The company is "excelling" in customer service".

What are some alternatives to "excelling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "thriving", "succeeding", or "outperforming".

Is "excelling" appropriate for formal writing?

"Excelling" can be used in formal writing, but consider the specific context. In some cases, more understated terms like "performing well" or "succeeding" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "excelling" and "succeeding"?

"Succeeding" generally means achieving a desired outcome, while "excelling" implies surpassing typical expectations and performing at a very high level. "Excelling" goes beyond mere success.