more than we expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "more than we expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe situations in which an amount, quantity, or number that has been measured, estimated, or predicted is greater than initially anticipated. For example, "The store had more items available than we expected, so we were able to find what we were looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's way more than we expected," Chaudry said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"But it was probably more than we expected".

The New York Times

"Nearly 30percentt is a lot more than we expected".

The New York Times

This was more than we expected from this task force.

The Washington Post

"We sell a lot more than we expected".

The New York Times - Food

Additionally, the runtime performance of different systems and knowledge bases varied more than we expected.

Artificial Intelligence

"I think also that maybe all the other areas grew more than we expected".

The New York Times

"It was much more than we expected, I don't know why".

The New York Times - Style

A Shakedown Trip We leave Cuvirene, having accomplished more than we expected.

The New York Times - Science

"We increased occupancy a lot more than we expected," he said.

The New York Times

"The regime's hold was a bit more than we expected," a Pentagon official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than we expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what the initial expectation was. This provides a stronger sense of comparison and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "more than we expected" without specifying what the original expectation was. Vague usage weakens the statement and makes it less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than we expected" functions as a comparative expression. It indicates that an actual outcome, quantity, or result exceeded the initial anticipation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than we expected" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express that something has surpassed initial anticipations. As verified by Ludwig AI, its versatility makes it appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. To enhance clarity, always ensure the context clearly defines the initial expectation. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives like "exceeded our projections" may be preferred. Remember, while highly versatile across different settings, you always have to know the proper settings for your specific target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond our expectations

This alternative emphasizes the extent to which something surpassed the anticipated outcome.

exceeded our anticipations

This option highlights the act of going over what was initially foreseen or predicted.

surpassed our initial estimates

This phrase focuses on outperforming the original numerical or qualitative assessments.

better than we had hoped

This alternative conveys a sense of positive surprise and satisfaction with the outcome.

more than we bargained for

This option implies that the result was both larger and potentially more challenging or complex than initially considered.

to a greater extent than anticipated

This phrase provides a formal and somewhat technical way to express that something was larger or more significant than predicted.

more than initially foreseen

This alternative emphasizes that the outcome exceeded what was predicted early on.

contrary to our expectations

This option indicates a direct contradiction to the initial predictions or beliefs.

surprisingly more

This alternative highlights the unexpected nature of the greater outcome or quantity.

unbelievably more

This option expresses a high degree of surprise or disbelief at the extent of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "more than we expected" in a professional context?

In professional settings, you can use phrases like "exceeded our projections", "surpassed our initial estimates", or "outperformed our expectations" to maintain a formal tone.

What's a more casual way to say "more than we expected"?

For informal situations, consider using phrases like "better than we hoped", "more than we bargained for", or "surprisingly more".

Is it grammatically correct to say "more than what we expected"?

While "more than what we expected" isn't technically incorrect, it's less common and sounds less natural than "more than we expected". The simpler form is generally preferred for clarity and conciseness.

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

"More than we expected" indicates that the actual outcome, amount, or quantity was higher or greater than initially anticipated. Conversely, "less than we expected" signifies that the outcome was lower or smaller than initially anticipated.