more than intended

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than intended" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to greater amounts or numbers than were planned, anticipated, or expected. For example: "The party ended up having more people than intended, so we had to move it to a larger venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Is he drinking more than intended?

The New York Times

Drinking more than intended.

Harvard University

Yet some soldiers in wind-tunnel tests were getting more than intended.

The New Yorker

"Ha, ha, I accidentally posted a picture on Instagram that showed more than intended.

Independent

The last one, like many others, might say more than intended.

The New York Times - Sports

Under the new criteria, people who often drink more than intended and crave alcohol may be considered mild addicts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But the last line may be more revealing than intended.

The New Yorker

Consequently, the rectum and urethra received more radiation than intended.

The New York Times

Apparently, the show was even more contemporary than intended.

The New Yorker

Accordingly, participants are tricked into exerting more force than intended to reach the deceptive target line.

Journal of Hand Therapy

Arnulfo Moreno's projections often seem more muted than intended, though.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than intended", ensure the context clearly establishes the original intention or plan. This provides a clear point of reference for the excess.

Common error

Avoid using "more than intended" without first clearly establishing what was initially intended. Without this context, the phrase becomes vague and lacks impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than intended" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the extent to which an action, quantity, or outcome exceeds the initial plan or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than intended" serves as an adverbial modifier that something has exceeded its original plans or expectations. Ludwig AI finds that it's grammatically correct and readily understandable. It appears most frequently in news media and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that the original intention is clear to maintain context. Alternatives like "more than anticipated" or "greater than planned" offer slight variations in nuance but similar semantic meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than anticipated

Focuses on the element of surprise and the unexpected increase.

more than desired

Focuses on the original preference, this outcome went beyond what was desired.

more than originally expected

Emphasizes the divergence from the starting expectation.

greater than planned

Directly refers to a discrepancy between the actual outcome and the initial plan.

beyond the original scope

Emphasizes that something went further than initially planned or defined.

exceeded expectations

Highlights a positive outcome that surpassed what was anticipated.

an excess of the original amount

Specifies an overage compared to the baseline.

in excess of what was wanted

Emphasizes that something is far more than desirable.

over and above what was projected

Highlights a surplus relative to the initial projections.

to a greater extent than initially considered

Implies a reflective assessment of the expanded scope or degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "more than intended" to describe situations where the outcome exceeds the initial plans or expectations. For example, "The project cost "more than intended" because of unforeseen complications".

What are some alternatives to "more than intended"?

Some alternatives include "more than anticipated", "greater than planned", or "beyond the original scope". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "more than what was intended" instead of "more than intended"?

While "more than what was intended" is grammatically correct, "more than intended" is more concise and commonly used. The former can sound slightly more formal but is not inherently better.

What is the difference between "more than intended" and "unintentionally"?

"More than intended" implies a quantity or degree exceeding the original plan. "Unintentionally" refers to an action or outcome that was not planned at all. For example, "I spent "more than intended"" versus "I unintentionally deleted the file".