narrowly exceeding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrowly exceeding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something surpasses a limit or threshold by a small margin. Example: "The athlete narrowly exceeded the previous record, finishing just a fraction of a second faster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Declining issues narrowly exceeded those advancing on the New York Stock Exchange.

The New York Times

Moreover, at 3.8 percent, GDP growth in Suriname in 2013 narrowly exceeded the Latin American average.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That figure narrowly exceeded the projection of $290 million made by the company and a consensus of Wall Street analysts.

The New York Times

Cisco Systems, the multibillion-dollar maker of Internet networking equipment that is considered a technology bellwether, reported a quarterly profit on Tuesday that narrowly exceeded investor expectations.

The New York Times

It is right to recognise our own challenge in Wales, where the Tories narrowly exceeded Labour's vote in the European elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

[C6.] Cisco Earnings Slightly Surpass Forecasts Cisco Systems reported second-quarter earnings that narrowly exceeded the projections of Wall Street analysts.

The New York Times

With the total UUP/DUP vote declining from 369,000 in the 2005 election to 271,000 in 2010, the total number of votes for the two main unionist parties was narrowly exceeded for the first time by the combined vote for the nationalist SDLP and the republican Sinn Féin.

The Guardian - Opinion

This narrowly exceeded expectations and experts are now scrambling to revise second-half forecasts to reflect a growth rate that will likely exceed China's 8% targeted rate.

Forbes

Similarly to our observations with poly(GP), cerebellar poly GA) levels trended lower in patients with ALS compared to patients with FTLD or FTLD-MND, but the p value narrowly exceeded the threshold of significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons (p < 0.0083).

Acta Neuropathologica

"While some may see the accounting errors discussed in our summary as relatively small in magnitude, they were critical in a corporate culture driven by a narrowly focused goal of exceeding projected earnings by a penny (per share) each quarter".

Forbes

Our exploratory study used on market-leading Internet search engine, Google and Google Trend search tools to show substantial Internet search activity broadly relating to hospital quality, exceeding half a million monthly searches nationally with a more narrowly defined set of nearly one hundred thousand monthly searches.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrowly exceeding", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being exceeded and by how small a margin. This specificity provides clarity and enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "narrowly exceeding" when the margin is actually substantial. This phrase is specifically for situations where the difference is minimal; otherwise, opt for stronger verbs that accurately reflect a bigger difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrowly exceeding" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun or verb, indicating the degree to which something surpasses a specific limit or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrowly exceeding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something has surpassed a limit or expectation by a small margin. It is most commonly found in news and media sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using the phrase, make sure the context is clear about what is being exceeded. Alternatives like "slightly surpassing" or "just exceeding" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Avoid using this phrase when the margin is substantial, as it is specifically meant for minimal differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly surpassing

Emphasizes a small margin by which something is exceeded; it’s a more general synonym.

just exceeding

Indicates the act of barely going over a limit or target.

marginally surpassing

Indicates the act of exceeding by a small amount.

barely exceeding

Highlights that the amount exceeded is minimal.

narrowly surpassing

Maintains the nuance of 'narrowly' while using a synonym for 'exceeding'.

scarcely surpassing

Emphasizes how little the extent of exceeding actually is.

outperforming by a slim margin

Specifies 'outperforming' and clearly states the difference is small.

slightly better than

Describes a slight advantage, but it's less direct about 'exceeding'.

modestly outstripping

Uses a more formal vocabulary indicating a limited degree of improvement.

outdoing by a hair

Emphasizes the small margin by which something exceeds, in an informal way.

FAQs

How can I use "narrowly exceeding" in a sentence?

You can use "narrowly exceeding" to describe a situation where a value or result surpasses another by a small amount. For example, "The company's profits for this quarter are "narrowly exceeding" last year's figures".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "narrowly exceeding"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slightly surpassing", "just exceeding", or "marginally surpassing", each conveying a similar meaning of surpassing by a small amount.

When is it appropriate to use "narrowly exceeding" instead of "greatly exceeding"?

"Narrowly exceeding" is appropriate when the difference is small and significant, while "greatly exceeding" is used when the difference is substantial. The choice depends on the specific context and the magnitude of the difference.

Is there a difference between "narrowly exceeding" and "narrowly surpassing"?

The terms "narrowly exceeding" and "narrowly surpassing" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate that one value has slightly surpassed another. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.