surpassed expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"surpassed expectations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about exceeding expectations. For example, "Their performance on the project surpassed expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

JPMorgan, on the other hand, reported profits that surpassed expectations.

The Economist

Another entree that surpassed expectations was the pan-roasted duck.

The New York Times

The result was a debate that surpassed expectations.

The Guardian - Opinion

A second round of peace talks that wound up in Thailand on November 4th surpassed expectations.

The Economist

For the travelers, Cuba, like most destinations, surpassed expectations on some fronts and disappointed on others.

The New York Times - Travel

This surpassed expectations of Wall Street economists, who had predicted no change.

The New York Times

The team had surpassed expectations, winning all four of its matches thus far.

The New York Times

An ABC special, devoted to models wearing lingerie from Victoria's Secret stores, also greatly surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

C1 Solid Quarter at I.B.M. I.B.M. reported earnings and revenues that slightly surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

This surpassed expectations of Wall Street economists, who had predicted no change in existing home sales.

The New York Times

Launches in the US and UK had also surpassed expectations, it said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surpassed expectations" when you want to emphasize that something not only met but exceeded anticipated outcomes. This phrase works well in reports, reviews, and analyses where quantifiable results are discussed.

Common error

The phrase "surpassed expectations" implies a measurable outcome. Avoid using it to describe intrinsic qualities or subjective experiences that aren't quantifiable. For example, instead of saying "The sunset surpassed expectations", consider "The sunset was more beautiful than expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpassed expectations" functions as a verb phrase where 'surpassed' acts as the main verb and 'expectations' as its object. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatical. This phrase describes the act of exceeding what was anticipated or predicted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surpassed expectations" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something has exceeded what was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that it refers to a quantifiable outcome and not subjective qualities. Alternatives like "exceeded forecasts" or "outperformed projections" can provide more specific nuances depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded forecasts

Focuses on surpassing numerical predictions or projections.

outstripped predictions

Suggests a more significant margin of surpassing expectations.

outperformed projections

Specifically relates to exceeding expected performance levels.

beat expectations

A more informal way of saying something did better than anticipated.

succeeded beyond anticipations

Highlights the success aspect of exceeding what was anticipated.

bettered predictions

Implies an improvement over previously set predictions.

triumphed over forecasts

Conveys a sense of overcoming challenges to exceed expectations.

excelled beyond what was foreseen

Emphasizes a high degree of excellence compared to initial assumptions.

surmounted prior assumptions

Focuses on overcoming limitations or incorrect prior beliefs.

gone above and beyond expectations

Highlights exceeding expectations through dedication and effort.

FAQs

How can I use "surpassed expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "surpassed expectations" to describe situations where results or performance exceeded what was initially predicted or hoped for. For instance, "The company's profits for the quarter "surpassed expectations"."

What are some alternatives to "surpassed expectations"?

Some alternatives include "exceeded forecasts", "outstripped predictions", or "outperformed projections". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "greatly surpassed expectations"?

Yes, adding an adverb like "greatly" or "far" before "surpassed expectations" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the extent to which expectations were exceeded. For example, "The movie's box office revenue "surpassed expectations" greatly".

What is the difference between "met expectations" and "surpassed expectations"?

"Met expectations" means the outcome was as anticipated or predicted. "Surpassed expectations" means the outcome was better than anticipated or predicted. In other words, "surpassed expectations" implies a positive surprise and better-than-expected results.