higher than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "higher than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing a specific quantity to an anticipated value. For example, "The sales figures were higher than expected this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Is that higher than expected?

Independent

Both figures were higher than expected.

The Economist

Labor costs were higher than expected.

The New York Times

And the price was higher than expected.

The Economist

Funding was $3.8bn higher than expected.

The Guardian

Turnout was higher than expected, officials said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Vivendi Universal reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit.

The New York Times

Weaker growth means higher-than-expected budget deficits.

The Guardian - Business

It also had higher-than-expected credit losses last month.

The New York Times

After the close, Microsoft announced higher-than-expected quarterly profits.

The New York Times

At Sotheby's, two works brought higher-than-expected prices.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "higher than expected" to objectively compare an actual result to a prior expectation. Ensure the context clearly establishes the expectation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "higher than expected" without explicitly stating what the expectation was. For example, instead of saying "Sales were higher than expected", specify "Sales were higher than expected based on last quarter's performance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "higher than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that its value or degree exceeds a previously established expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "higher than expected" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe outcomes that exceed anticipated levels. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common across various domains, including news, science, and business. When using "higher than expected", clarity is key, ensure the reference point for the expectation is clear. While alternatives like "exceeded expectations" and "surpassed forecasts" exist, "higher than expected" remains a straightforward and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded expectations

This alternative emphasizes that the actual result surpassed what was predicted.

surpassed forecasts

This phrase is particularly useful when discussing predicted data or market trends.

outperformed projections

This suggests a more significant degree of exceeding expectations, often in a competitive setting.

came in above estimates

A more casual way of saying that the final number was greater than the anticipated number.

proved greater than anticipated

This alternative provides a slightly more formal and emphatic way to express that something was larger than initially thought.

turned out to be more than anticipated

This implies a discovery or realization that something is larger than originally estimated.

ran higher than anticipated

Highlights that the process, cost or amount was elevated to an unforeseen level.

rose above forecasts

This is best used when something had an increase that broke the original forecasts.

was in excess of predictions

Expresses that the result had a surplus compared to the prediction.

beat expectations

An active and dynamic way of saying that expectations were exceeded.

FAQs

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

You can use "higher than expected" to describe a result that surpassed predictions or anticipations, such as "The company's profits were higher than expected this year" or "Turnout for the event was higher than expected".

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

You can use alternatives like "exceeded expectations", "surpassed forecasts", or "outperformed projections" depending on the context.

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

No, "more high than expected" is grammatically incorrect. "Higher" is the correct comparative form of "high" when comparing two quantities.

What is the difference between "higher than anticipated" and "higher than expected"?

While both phrases are very similar, "higher than anticipated" suggests that the result exceeded what was foreseen, while "higher than expected" implies that it surpassed a specific prediction or expectation. The terms can often be used interchangeably, but "higher than anticipated" carries a slightly more general connotation.