is higher than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is higher than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing outcomes, results, or measurements that exceed what was anticipated or predicted. Example: "The final sales figures for the quarter show that revenue is higher than expected, indicating strong market demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But if turnout is higher than expected, it could swell Mr. Corzine's lead.

The New York Times

Net asset value — the preferred measure for property companies — is higher than expected at 776p.

The Times

Cr availability is higher than expected, and Cr-tolerant vegetation is probably growing on these soils.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

Right now the coalition is getting lucky: growth is higher than expected, and is accelerating towards election day.

The Guardian - Opinion

So if your heart rate is higher than expected, doesn't that mean you are exercising like a younger person?

The New York Times - Health

The issue is higher than expected carbon concentrations in steel reactor components, which could make them vulnerable to cracking.

The Guardian

On average, Mr. Obama's approval is higher than expected among Democrats and independents, but not among Republicans.

The New York Times

Women's participation is higher than expected in the 'thin' action of petition signing, but consistently lower in the 'thick' action of petition creation.

Harvard University

Every month, we get more proof of this fact – with data showing that growth is lower than expected and unemployment is higher than expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Katie Allen reports, the figure is higher than expected, keeping household budgets under pressure even before the next round of energy bill increases come in this winter.

The Guardian

In industrial aluminium cells the CF4 content during AE averaged 16%, which is higher than expected for the given alumina concentration range.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is higher than expected" to highlight deviations from forecasts or predictions, emphasizing the degree to which an actual value surpasses the anticipated one. This is applicable across fields like finance, science, and general reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "is higher than expected" when referring to goals or aspirations. The phrase implies a numerical or quantifiable forecast, not a desired outcome. Instead of saying 'My happiness is higher than expected', consider something like 'I'm surprisingly happy'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is higher than expected" functions as a comparative statement, indicating that a certain value or outcome surpasses a previously anticipated level. Ludwig examples show it used across various domains to highlight unexpected positive deviations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is higher than expected" is a versatile and commonly used comparative expression that highlights a deviation from anticipated levels. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse fields. It's essential to use it accurately, ensuring it refers to quantifiable forecasts rather than general aspirations. Alternatives like "exceeds expectations" or "surpasses anticipated levels" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. This phrase serves to communicate surprise, positive outcomes, or notable variances, rendering it a valuable tool in reporting and analytical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is greater than anticipated

This alternative is a more direct synonym, using 'greater' in place of 'higher'.

exceeds expectations

This alternative uses a more concise verb phrase to indicate that something surpasses what was predicted.

is more than was predicted

This alternative directly states that the actual value is more than the prediction.

is unexpectedly high

This alternative emphasizes the surprise element of the result being high.

surpasses anticipated levels

This alternative emphasizes the level or degree of something exceeding expectations.

exceeds the projected amount

This alternative specifies that it is the amount that exceeds the initial projection.

is beyond expectations

This alternative emphasizes that the result is not just higher, but beyond the range of expectation.

surpasses the predicted value

This alternative highlights a comparison against a predicted value.

is above projected figures

This alternative focuses on numerical projections and indicates that the actual value is greater.

outperforms forecasts

This alternative is useful when discussing performance metrics and indicates that something has exceeded forecasted levels.

FAQs

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

You can use "is higher than expected" to describe a situation where an outcome, result, or measurement exceeds what was previously anticipated. For example, "The quarterly profits "is higher than expected" due to increased sales."

What phrases can I use instead of "is higher than expected"?

Alternatives include "exceeds expectations", "surpasses anticipated levels", or "is above projected figures". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is higher than expected" versus "exceeded expectations"?

"Is higher than expected" is generally used when discussing numerical data or measurable results, while "exceeded expectations" can be used more broadly. For example, you might say 'The test scores "is higher than expected"', but 'The product launch "exceeded expectations"'.

What's the difference between "is higher than expected" and "is unexpectedly high"?

While both phrases indicate a value exceeding anticipation, "is higher than expected" focuses on the discrepancy between the actual and predicted values, while "is unexpectedly high" emphasizes the surprise or unexpectedness of the outcome.