higher than anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'higher than anticipated' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that was greater than what was initially expected. For example, "Sales this quarter were higher than anticipated, indicating a strong economic recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Construction costs are higher than anticipated, he said.

The New York Times

Net debt is slightly higher than anticipated due to exceptionals.

The Guardian - Business

The count that year was higher than anticipated.

The New York Times

According to the Philips curve, higher than anticipated inflation lowers the level of unemployment.

The Economist

Critics gripe that the tax is much higher than anticipated and will hurt economic growth.

The Economist

He said tax refunds were about $20 billion higher than anticipated and tax payments about $20 billion lower.

The New York Times

The issue is that, like in Karen, the wind shear has been far higher than anticipated in the Atlantic ocean.

The Guardian

Last quarter, expenses that came in higher than anticipated surprised Wall Street and temporarily hit Google's stock price.

The New York Times - Tech

It was an early portent that the cost of keeping an army in Lebanon would prove far higher than anticipated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We experienced higher than anticipated interest in the training classes.

BMC Health Services Research

We also experienced several challenges related to the higher-than-anticipated demand.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal language may be appropriate in certain professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "higher than anticipated" repeatedly in formal reports. Vary your language with synonyms like "exceeded projections" or "surpassed expectations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "higher than anticipated" functions as a comparative expression, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate that something has exceeded a prior expectation or estimate. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "higher than anticipated" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something has exceeded expectations. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was being anticipated. While versatile, consider synonyms for formal reports to avoid redundancy. The high frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above expectations

A more concise way of saying that something has exceeded what was expected.

exceeding expectations

Focuses on the act of surpassing what was expected, without explicitly using a comparative structure.

surpassing forecasts

Specifically relates to outperforming predictions or estimates, often in a business or economic context.

outperforming predictions

Emphasizes the action of doing better than predicted, often used in performance-related contexts.

more than projected

Similar to "higher than anticipated", but uses "projected" to emphasize a formal estimation.

greater than foreseen

Uses "foreseen" to highlight that the outcome was larger than what could be predicted

better than expected

Indicates a positive outcome relative to what was predicted, applicable in a broad range of situations.

beyond initial estimates

Emphasizes that the actual outcome has exceeded the original calculations or approximations.

larger than initially thought

Focuses on revising an initial assessment based on new information.

more than originally planned

Highlights a deviation from the initial plan, implying an increase or expansion.

FAQs

How can I use "higher than anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "higher than anticipated" to describe something that has exceeded expectations or forecasts. For example, "The company's profits were "higher than anticipated" due to increased sales".

What are some alternatives to saying "higher than anticipated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "exceeding expectations", "surpassing forecasts", or "above expectations".

Is "higher than anticipated" formal or informal?

The phrase "higher than anticipated" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "higher than anticipated" and "better than expected"?

While similar, "higher than anticipated" is often used when referring to quantifiable data or forecasts, whereas "better than expected" can apply to broader situations where the outcome is more favorable than initially predicted.