more than anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than anticipated" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that exceeds expectations, either good or bad. For example: "The cost of the project was more than anticipated, so we had to adjust the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So the departure from Atlético was more than anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

Orders for new machinery fell more than anticipated in July, as semiconductor makers cut purchases.

The New York Times

A measure of wages and benefits increased at a 2.1percentt pace, more than anticipated.

The New York Times

The late-round matchups among the top-ranked players are more than anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

Big computer modernization projects often run late and cost more than anticipated.

The New York Times

The Fed might tighten credit if inflation were to rise more than anticipated, he said.

The New York Times

Health-care reform is now expected to cost a hundred and fifteen billion dollars more than anticipated.

The New Yorker

This is not the first time that the Dodd-Frank Act's seemingly innocuous disclosure requirements are costing more than anticipated.

The New York Times

But the county must move quickly to save the building from further deterioration and spend at least $1 million more than anticipated on the project, Ms. Tolchin said.

The New York Times

Buying the add-ons for a home entertainment unit is costly, all the more so if you have already spent more than anticipated on your HDTV.

The New York Times - Tech

On the revenue side, a strong economy is providing a projected $12.3 million more than anticipated in sales tax revenues, the county's mid-year estimates show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than anticipated" when you want to emphasize that an outcome, whether positive or negative, has exceeded initial predictions or expectations. It adds a layer of surprise or unexpectedness to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "more than anticipated" when there was no prior anticipation or expectation set. The phrase implies a comparison to a previous assumption, so ensure that this assumption is clear in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than anticipated" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree to which something exceeds initial expectations. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than anticipated" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating that an outcome exceeded initial expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's frequently found in news and media sources. For precision and impact, ensure the context clearly establishes the initial expectation before using the phrase. Remember it's essential to provide an explicit comparative idea to make the use of "more than anticipated" valid in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than expected

A direct synonym, focusing on the discrepancy between reality and prior expectation.

greater than predicted

Focuses on the degree of difference between the actual and the predicted outcome.

beyond expectations

Emphasizes surpassing what was initially thought possible.

surpassed projections

Similar to 'exceeded forecasts' but often used in more formal or business contexts.

more than initially thought

Emphasizes a shift in understanding or belief.

exceeded forecasts

Specifically relates to surpassing predicted values or outcomes.

above what was foreseen

Highlights the act of foreseeing or predicting something.

to a greater extent than expected

A more formal and verbose way of expressing the same idea.

contrary to expectations

Highlights a direct opposition to what was expected.

to a surprising degree

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "more than anticipated" to describe an outcome that exceeded expectations. For example: "The project's success was "more than anticipated", leading to significant revenue gains."

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

While both phrases are similar, "more than anticipated" suggests a degree of forethought or planning. "More than expected" is a broader term that can apply even when there were no specific anticipations.

Is "more than anticipated" formal or informal?

"More than anticipated" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various types of writing. However, very formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "surpassed projections" or "exceeded forecasts".

What are some synonyms for "more than anticipated"?

Synonyms include "beyond expectations", "exceeded forecasts", and "surpassed projections". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.