seeking to exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking to exceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to surpass a certain standard, expectation, or goal. Example: "The team is seeking to exceed their sales targets this quarter by implementing new marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But investors should be seeking to exceed the rate of inflation and grow their college funds".

The New York Times

The experience of 2013 tells us that it's seeking to exceed that number by as much as it can.

Forbes

Users seeking to exceed the monthly limits on upload (500 MB) and bandwidth (10 GB) can purchase a pro account for $25 per year.

TechCrunch

"BBC HD should deliver a very high quality technical service to viewers, by adhering to, or seeking to exceed, industry standards for picture resolution" @44 Jonathan Ross has been poor since it was first broadcast in September 2008.

BBC

It is important to live up to your word, to do as you say you will do and keep your promises; however, it is even better to avoid ever making promises and just consistently do your best, always seeking to exceed your own expectations and those of others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You can argue with the obsession with targets in terms of visitor numbers, despair of the decline in research and academic analysis of our institutions as they seek to exceed their quotas.

Independent

(Of course, my preference is that philanthropists will seek to exceed my SPDP).

Huffington Post

Voluntarily adopt - and seek to exceed - federal FOIA rules for your own organization.

Huffington Post

Where does humanity attempt to exceed itself?

Independent

The number of professionals seeking to leave Russia exceeds 50% in certain segments.

Forbes

In most of these cases, the former brokerage employer is seeking to recoup Trainee Fees that exceed the cost of a year's worth of Ivy League college.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeking to exceed" when you want to express an intention to not just meet, but surpass a standard or expectation. For example, "The company is seeking to exceed customer expectations with its new product line."

Common error

Avoid using "seeking to exceed" in contexts where simple improvement or meeting expectations is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or overly ambitious. Instead, consider alternatives like "aiming to meet" or "striving to improve" when a less emphatic tone is more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking to exceed" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention or goal behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking to exceed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the intention to surpass expectations or standards. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and notes its prevalence across various contexts. While the phrase is more formal, it is appropriate for professional and academic writing. Consider alternatives like "aiming to surpass" or "striving to overcome" for nuanced expressions. When using "seeking to exceed", ensure the context warrants such an ambitious tone, avoiding overuse in situations where simple improvement suffices. It is used in business plans, project proposals, and performance reviews. Examples from Ludwig highlight its application in business, personal development, and technological advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming to surpass

Implies a specific target to be passed.

striving to overcome

Focuses on overcoming obstacles in the process.

aspiring to transcend

Suggests a desire to go beyond limitations.

endeavoring to outstrip

A more formal way of saying exceeding.

trying to beat

More direct and informal.

working to better

Focuses on improvement rather than exceeding.

looking to improve upon

Suggests building on an existing foundation.

pushing to excel beyond

Emphasizes effort and superior achievement.

intending to outdo

Highlights the competitive aspect of surpassing.

planning to magnify

Focuses on increasing the size or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "seeking to exceed" in a sentence?

You can use "seeking to exceed" to express the intention to surpass a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The team is "seeking to exceed" its previous sales record this quarter".

What's the difference between "seeking to exceed" and "aiming to meet"?

"Seeking to exceed" implies a desire to go beyond expectations, while "aiming to meet" simply indicates an effort to fulfill the basic requirements or standards. The former suggests ambition, while the latter suggests adequacy. You could also use "striving for".

What can I say instead of "seeking to exceed" to sound less formal?

For a less formal alternative to "seeking to exceed", consider using phrases like "trying to beat" or "working to better", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "seeking to exceed" in professional writing?

It is appropriate to use "seeking to exceed" in professional writing when describing ambitious goals, performance targets, or strategic objectives that aim for significant improvements or surpassing industry benchmarks. It's often used in business plans, project proposals, and performance reviews.