greater than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes or results that surpass what was anticipated or predicted. Example: "The sales figures for this quarter were greater than expected, leading to a significant boost in company morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Net profits missed expectations, but largely as a result of the significantly greater than expected dividend.

The Guardian - Business

The response was even greater than expected.

The New York Times

But the challenge proved far greater than expected.

The New Yorker

Demand for the coupons has been much greater than expected.

The New York Times

The F.D.I.C. losses in 1989 were greater than expected.

The New York Times

Many have found the cost of complying with the legislation is even greater than expected.

The Guardian

John Self on the merits – greater than expected – of Gordon Burn's snooker book.

The Guardian - Books

In several previous jobs reports, the actual monthly declines had been far greater than expected.

The New York Times

While job reductions had been predicted, the cuts were much greater than expected.

The New York Times

Greater than expected landscape values were associated with urban areas, water features, indigenous landcover, and mountains.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Mr. Shannon said demand for the properties had been greater than expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greater than expected", ensure you provide context by specifying what was expected and why the actual result differed. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "greater than expected" without quantifying the difference or explaining the significance of the deviation. Otherwise, it lacks specific value and might confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun's quantity, size, or extent is larger or higher than what was predicted or anticipated. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often found when discussing results that have exceeded expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater than expected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase that indicates an outcome has surpassed initial anticipations. It is versatile, fitting into a range of contexts from scientific research to news reporting, but should be used with specific details to provide clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, alternatives such as "exceeded expectations" or "surpassed anticipated levels" can be used for variety, but "greater than expected" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded expectations

This alternative uses a verb to indicate the surpassing of expectations.

surpassed anticipated levels

This phrase uses 'surpassed' to emphasize exceeding a specific level.

outperformed predictions

This option highlights exceeding expectations based on a prior prediction.

better than anticipated

Uses 'better' as a simpler way to indicate a more favorable outcome.

above projections

This alternative is more concise, suitable for business contexts.

more than forecast

This phrase focuses on exceeding a previously established forecast.

higher than foreseen

This alternative emphasizes that the result was beyond what was initially foreseen.

beyond what was predicted

Highlights a departure from a previous prediction or estimate.

exceeding the norm

Indicates a surpassing of what is typically expected or considered normal.

unexpectedly high

Focuses on the surprise element of the high value or result.

FAQs

How can I use "greater than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "greater than expected" to describe outcomes that surpassed initial anticipations. For instance, "The company's profits were greater than expected this quarter" or "The demand for the product was greater than expected".

What are some alternatives to "greater than expected"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeded expectations", "surpassed anticipated levels", or "better than anticipated" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more than expected" instead of "greater than expected"?

Yes, "more than expected" is a valid and often interchangeable alternative to "greater than expected", though "greater than expected" might sound more formal in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "greater than expected" and "less than expected"?

"Greater than expected" indicates that an actual result surpassed the anticipated outcome, while "less than expected" means that the actual result fell short of the initial expectation. They are opposites in terms of outcome.