greatly exceeding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly exceeding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something surpasses a certain limit or expectation significantly. Example: "The results of the experiment were greatly exceeding our initial predictions, leading to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clubs that are greatly exceeding expectations usually do not like to disrupt chemistry.

The New York Times - Sports

We knew that was far too many, and greatly exceeding national rates.

The Guardian - Opinion

But with demand now greatly exceeding supply, it would not take much to cause further jolts.

The Economist

Despite their patrilineal social system, women have property rights greatly exceeding those recognized in Hindu society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the response of the authorities has provoked something greatly exceeding Puerta del Sol in its militancy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But his provocative ideas, and equally provocative presentation, gave him a sphere of influence greatly exceeding that of an ordinary academic.

The New York Times

Sales jumped 42percenttoto $8.6 billion, greatly exceeding expectations by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who had forecast $6.74 billion in sales.

The New York Times

Union leaders had originally demanded annual raises of 6.5percentt, far higher than they had been able to extract in the past and greatly exceeding the rate of productivity growth in German industry.

The New York Times

The ears of cats are receptive to ultrasonic frequencies up to 85,000 vibrations per second, greatly exceeding the hearing capabilities of dogs, which register 35,000 vibrations per second.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Russian leaders have been particularly scathing in recent days about events in Libya, accusing the countries taking part in military action against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's forces of greatly exceeding the mandate that the Security Council gave them.

The New York Times

Gas flow transports hydrocarbons at rates greatly exceeding diffusion rates [22, 23].

Geochemical Transactions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatly exceeding", ensure the context clearly defines what is being exceeded and by what magnitude. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly exceeding" when the difference is only marginal or insignificant. Use a more appropriate phrase like "slightly exceeding" or "modestly surpassing" to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly exceeding" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverbial phrase, that intensifies the verb it modifies. It indicates the extent to which something surpasses a certain limit or expectation. Ludwig showcases various examples demonstrating this intensifying function in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greatly exceeding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It is employed to emphasize a significant degree of surpassing a specific limit or expectation. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a formal tone. To avoid misuse, make sure the difference being described is indeed substantial. Use alternatives like "far surpassing" or "significantly exceeding" for similar meanings. The phrase's consistent usage and high source quality affirm its reliability and appropriateness in diverse written communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far surpassing

Emphasizes the extent of exceeding as being 'far' beyond the limit.

significantly exceeding

Highlights the substantial difference between the actual value and the expected value.

considerably surpassing

Indicates that the exceeding is worth considering or noting.

vastly outstripping

Conveys a sense of exceeding by a large margin, often implying competition or comparison.

substantially exceeding

Similar to 'significantly exceeding', but may imply a more concrete or measurable excess.

markedly surpassing

Emphasizes that the act of exceeding is clearly noticeable.

well beyond

A more general phrase indicating something is far past a certain point.

exceeding by far

Reorders the original phrase to emphasize the distance past a limit.

going way beyond

A more informal phrase to indicate a large degree of exceeding.

outdoing significantly

Implies surpassing something in a competitive or comparative context.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly exceeding" in a sentence?

You can use "greatly exceeding" to describe a situation where something surpasses a certain limit or expectation significantly. For example: "The company's profits were "greatly exceeding" projections this quarter."

What phrases are similar to "greatly exceeding"?

Alternatives to "greatly exceeding" include "far surpassing", "significantly exceeding", or "considerably surpassing", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "greatly exceeding" in formal writing?

Yes, "greatly exceeding" is suitable for formal writing. It's frequently used in academic, scientific, and business contexts to describe situations where something significantly surpasses a particular level or threshold.

What is the difference between "exceeding" and "greatly exceeding"?

"Exceeding" simply means to go beyond a limit. "Greatly exceeding" implies a much larger difference; the degree by which something surpasses a limit is significant.