more than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or outcome that was more successful or better than previously anticipated. For example, "The response to the launch of the new product was more than expected; we sold out of our entire inventory in half of the predicted time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New home sales fall more than expected.

The New York Times

Osborne is borrowing £100bn more than expected.

Independent

This was about 100 more than expected.

The Economist

The statement itself revealed more than expected.

Independent

More than expected apparently.

The Guardian

Recent indicators show Portugal's economy struggling more than expected.

Yale University

Republican support for the bill was more than expected.

The New York Times

But capital expenditure fell 1.3%, which was more than expected.

The Guardian

Like all renovations, it cost more than expected.

The New York Times

They were worth quite a lot more than expected".

The Guardian - Business

It's certainly more than expected even two months ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the expectations were. This provides a frame of reference for the comparison and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "more than expected" without clearly defining what the expectations were. Ambiguity can weaken the statement and leave the audience unsure of the true impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than expected" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree to which something exceeds prior anticipation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than expected" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that an outcome has surpassed initial anticipations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and business contexts. The phrase is valuable for highlighting deviations from anticipated outcomes, and when using the phrase, it's best practice to clearly establish what the initial expectations were. Alternatives like "exceeded expectations" or "better than anticipated" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than anticipated

A direct synonym, focusing on the positive aspect of the outcome.

exceeded expectations

Emphasizes that the actual result surpassed the anticipated level.

surpassed anticipations

Similar to exceeded expectations, but uses "anticipations" instead of "expectations".

outperformed forecasts

Specifically used when comparing actual performance against predicted forecasts, especially in business or economics.

above projections

Implies that the results were higher than the projected values, often in a statistical context.

beyond what was foreseen

Highlights the element of unpredictability and surprise.

in excess of what was anticipated

Focuses on the surplus or additional amount compared to what was expected.

to a greater extent than predicted

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing the idea.

surprisingly good

Emphasizes the unexpected and positive nature of the outcome.

unforeseen success

Highlights the unexpected positive outcome that was not planned or seen in advance.

FAQs

What does "more than expected" mean?

The phrase "more than expected" means that something has happened or been achieved to a greater degree or extent than was initially anticipated or predicted.

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

You can use "more than expected" to describe a variety of situations. For example: "The company's profits were "better than anticipated"." or "The project took "longer than anticipated"".

What are some alternatives to "more than expected"?

Some alternatives include "exceeded expectations", "surpassed anticipations", or "better than anticipated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "more than what was expected"?

Yes, "more than what was expected" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "more than expected". Both phrases are acceptable, although "more than expected" is often more concise.