for exceeding expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for exceeding expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge or commend someone for going beyond what was anticipated or required in a particular situation. Example: "The team received a special award for exceeding expectations in their project delivery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Three teams who found themselves in the upper-mid-table logjam and perhaps did not get the credit they deserved for exceeding expectations last season – Rochdale, Fleetwood Town and Gillingham – will be hoping to kick on.

The Guardian - Sport

Chaudhuri looked at how more than 200 managers fared in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 from August 2011 to May 2015 and found Klopp ranked in the top 10 for exceeding expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

Professor Martin makes the point particularly vividly, observing that the way we currently reward corporate C.E.O.'s is roughly equivalent to rewarding football teams for exceeding expectations rather than winning games.

The New York Times

No one goes to jail for exceeding expectations.

Forbes

Towards the end of the season, he was voted by Bruins fans for the team's Seventh Player Award for exceeding expectations.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Even the botched roll-out of Obamacare's online marketplace, to which Mr Brill devotes numerous pages, has a happy ending; more than 8m people signed up for coverage, exceeding expectations.But Obamacare tackled only half of the problem.

The Economist

Our community has rapidly embraced the concept of human milk banking, with both donations and demand for PDHM exceeding expectations.

Early Human Development

There is nothing wrong with setting very high standards for oneself and exceeding expectations.

Huffington Post

You've worked in the same division of your current organization for 15 years, exceeding expectations, moving up the ladder, and taking copious notes on the successful habits of those above you.

Huffington Post

(Yu, one of a wave of Hong Kong talents finding a place for his wirework skills in Hollywood, qualified for the gig by exceeding expectations with yet another franchise-reviving sequel, the wickedly nasty Bride of Chucky).

The Guardian - Film

At the Museum of Modern Art, attendance is actually exceeding expectations for the current fiscal year.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for exceeding expectations" when you want to formally recognize or commend someone or something for surpassing pre-set goals or anticipated performance levels. This phrase is especially effective in professional or academic contexts where clear benchmarks exist.

Common error

Avoid using "for exceeding expectations" when the performance only meets the initial goals, not surpasses them. Use it specifically to highlight instances of remarkable or exceptional achievement that goes beyond what was anticipated. If you are unsure try something like "met the targets" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for exceeding expectations" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate the reason or cause for a particular outcome or recognition. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for exceeding expectations" is a grammatically sound and recognizable expression, used to acknowledge outstanding performance that surpasses initial anticipation. Though not the most frequent phrase in the English language, Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and suitable for professional, neutral, and scientific registers. The phrase conveys the purpose of acknowledging surpassing a goal, while it is important to ensure that this term is only applied to truly exceptional performance levels. Consider alternatives like "for surpassing expectations" to add nuance. Avoid overly informal contexts where simpler terms might fit better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for surpassing expectations

Replaces "exceeding" with "surpassing", offering a slightly more formal tone.

for outperforming expectations

Substitutes "exceeding" with "outperforming", emphasizing a competitive aspect.

for going above and beyond

Offers a more idiomatic and emphatic way of saying "exceeding expectations".

for exceeding anticipated results

Replaces "expectations" with "anticipated results", providing a more specific and measurable connotation.

for surpassing all forecasts

Emphasizes that all predictions were beaten, indicating a high degree of success.

in recognition of exceeding expectations

Adds a formal tone, highlighting the act of acknowledging the achievement.

for a performance exceeding expectations

Focuses on the performance aspect of exceeding the initial predictions.

because of exceeding expectations

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship, where exceeding expectations leads to a specific outcome.

for going the extra mile

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing the effort made beyond the ordinary requirements.

owing to exceeding expectations

A more formal way of saying "because of exceeding expectations".

FAQs

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

You can use "for exceeding expectations" to acknowledge a positive outcome where someone or something has surpassed initial predictions. For example, "The company received an award "for exceeding expectations" in customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "for exceeding expectations"?

Some alternatives include "for surpassing expectations", "for outperforming expectations", or "for going above and beyond". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "for exceeding expectations" in informal contexts?

While "for exceeding expectations" is suitable for formal settings, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. In informal situations, you could use phrases like "for going the extra mile" or "for doing an amazing job".

Which is correct, "exceeding expectations" or "exceeded expectations"?

"Exceeding expectations" is a present participle phrase often used as a gerund or part of a longer phrase (e.g., "known for exceeding expectations"). "Exceeded expectations" is a past participle form used in perfect tenses or as a passive voice construction (e.g., "expectations were exceeded").