in order to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to excel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a goal or purpose. For example, "She studied hard in order to excel on her exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

You will need excellent communications and problem solving skills in order to excel in this area of study.

WikiHow

Part of the managerial challenge is that employees and organizations require goals in order to excel.

Harvard Business Review

You always have to have curiosity and dream of a possibility that is beyond your reach in order to excel.

The Guardian

In order to excel, leaders need to develop a balance of strengths across the suite of EI competencies.

Harvard Business Review

Instead, my research has shown, they perform badly at some things in order to excel at others.

Harvard Business Review

I'm a firm believer that in order to excel in something, you must be passionate about it.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

What is also required of lawyers at all levels, in order to truly excel in today's legal environment, is a touch of entrepreneurialism coupled with some business savvy.

Forbes

This unsexy side of analytics is where companies need to excel in order to maximize the value of their analytics initiatives, but it is also where many such efforts stall.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Odds: 200-1   AfghanICCan ICC ODI ranking: 11th WC best: N/A Coach: Andy Moles Captain Mohammad Nabi Starr player: Nabi Chances: Cup debutants have played just 45 one-day matches, and will need their highest run-scorer and second-highest wicket-taker Nabi to excel in order to compete.

Independent

In order to see who really excelled in ETF asset gathering in 2012, I asked XTF Inc. to send over net flows and net product growth for each issuer in 2012.

Forbes

The task at which the plant must excel in order to be competitive focuses on one set of internally consistent, doable, noncompromised criteria for success.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order to excel", ensure the sentence clearly specifies the actions or qualities needed to achieve excellence in a particular area. Be precise in linking the means to the end.

Common error

Avoid using "in order to excel" in overly general contexts without specifying what 'excelling' means. For example, instead of saying 'They worked hard in order to excel', specify 'They worked hard in order to excel in mathematics'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to excel" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It connects a behavior or strategy with the goal of achieving outstanding performance, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order to excel" serves as a purpose connector, frequently appearing in news media, academic writing, and wiki content. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It conveys the intention to achieve outstanding performance. When using "in order to excel", it's best to clearly define the specific area where excellence is sought, avoiding vague applications. Alternatives like "to achieve excellence" or "for optimal performance" can provide nuanced variations. As the examples from Ludwig show, the phrase emphasizes a strong desire to not only succeed but to truly stand out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to achieve excellence

Focuses specifically on attaining a high standard of performance; less about initial steps.

for optimal performance

Emphasizes maximizing effectiveness rather than just exceeding expectations.

to gain a competitive edge

Highlights the aspect of outperforming others in a competitive environment.

to reach peak potential

Concentrates on fully developing one's abilities or capabilities.

for superior results

Stresses achieving better outcomes compared to standard or average results.

to foster success

Implies creating an environment or conditions conducive to achieving positive outcomes.

to enhance proficiency

Focuses on improving skills and competence in a particular area.

to master skills

Implies a deeper understanding and control of a particular skill.

for advancement

Focuses on moving forward in a career or other pursuit.

to become proficient

Focuses on becoming skilled or competent.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to excel" in a sentence?

Use "in order to excel" to introduce the reason or purpose for doing something exceptionally well. For example, "She practices every day "in order to excel" in the competition".

What are some alternatives to "in order to excel"?

You can use alternatives like "to achieve excellence", "for optimal performance", or "to gain a competitive edge" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "in order to excel"?

No, it is not redundant. "In order to" introduces purpose, and "excel" specifies the desired level of achievement, which is to perform exceptionally well.

What's the difference between ""in order to excel"" and "in order to succeed"?

"In order to succeed" implies achieving any level of success, whereas ""in order to excel"" implies achieving a very high level of performance and standing out.