met the target

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "met the target" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a goal was achieved. For example: "The project team met the target three days ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NATO said it had met the target of collecting 3,300 rebel arms two days early.

The New York Times

The UK first met the target in 2013, when its total aid spending reached £11.4bn.

The Guardian

The UK met the target for the first time last year.

The Guardian

In doing that, they met the target set by their coach.

The Guardian - Sport

The Netherlands had consistently met the target, but fell short in 2013.

The Guardian

This year 31% of practices met the target, compared with 80% last year.

The Guardian

Again, though, hospitals met the target overall, treating 97.7% of patients (23,420) on time.

The Guardian

"We haven't met the target, but we have made a difference.

The Guardian

The NHS has only met the target once since January 2015.

The Guardian

Only five countries – Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg, the "G07" – have met the target.

The Guardian

Not met – The target is an 80% reduction relative to 1990 levels by 2050.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In performance reports or evaluations, "met the target" can be used to highlight areas of success and positive outcomes. Be specific about the target and provide data to support your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "met the target" without clearly specifying what the target was. Vague statements can lead to confusion and undermine the credibility of your message. Always provide context and quantify the achievement whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met the target" functions as a concise way to express the successful achievement of a defined goal or objective. Based on Ludwig's examples, this expression is commonly used across various domains to convey that a specific benchmark has been reached.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "met the target" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating the successful achievement of a predefined goal or objective. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is versatile enough for use across diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and formal business settings. While its formality is generally neutral, ensure clarity by specifying the target and providing relevant context. Several alternatives, such as "achieved the goal" or "reached the objective", can be used to avoid repetition. Overall, "met the target" serves as an effective and straightforward way to communicate that a specific goal has been successfully attained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieved the goal

Focuses on accomplishment, suggesting the successful completion of a planned objective.

reached the objective

Emphasizes reaching a specific aim or purpose, often in a strategic or planned context.

attained the desired outcome

Highlights the attainment of a preferred or expected result.

fulfilled the requirement

Stresses compliance with a specific condition or necessity.

complied with the standard

Underscores adherence to a set of rules, specifications, or criteria.

satisfied the condition

Indicates that a particular prerequisite or stipulation has been fulfilled.

realized the ambition

Implies achieving a long-term or significant aspiration.

accomplished the mission

Emphasizes the successful completion of a specific task or assignment.

completed the task successfully

Focuses on the completion of a job or duty with positive results.

succeeded in fulfilling expectations

Highlights that pre-established benchmarks and predictions were surpassed.

FAQs

How can I use "met the target" in a sentence?

You can use "met the target" to indicate that a specific goal or objective has been achieved. For example, "The sales team "met the target" for the quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "met the target"?

Some alternatives to "met the target" include "achieved the goal", "reached the objective", or "attained the desired outcome".

Is it grammatically correct to say "met the target"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Met" is the past tense of "meet", and "target" is a noun. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules.

Which is more appropriate, "met the target" or "exceeded the target"?

"Met the target" is appropriate when the goal was achieved exactly as planned. "Exceeded the target" is used when the performance surpassed the initial goal.