surpassing expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surpassing expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something exceeds what was anticipated or hoped for. Example: "The team's performance this quarter has been remarkable, truly surpassing expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The US economy added 173,000 jobs in August, less than expected, while the unemployment rate dropped to 5.1%, surpassing expectations.

The Guardian - Business

In general, Miliband is surpassing expectations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thailand's GDP growth quickened to 4.4% in the year to the second quarter, surpassing expectations.

The Economist

[A1.] Profit Rises 11% at Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch reported that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 11percentt, surpassing expectations.

The New York Times

In two television debates, Mr. Duceppe projected the most poise of the four major party leaders, surpassing expectations.

The New York Times

The Treasury repaid £3.7bn last month, surpassing expectations and representing the strongest month since July 2008 for the public finances.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Instead, it surpassed expectations.

The New Yorker

(Countrywide surpassed expectations, earning $2.4 billion).

The New Yorker

Her rate of recovery surpassed expectations.

Independent

Still, the results surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

All three companies surpassed expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surpassing expectations", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original expectations were, to fully appreciate the extent of the achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "surpassing expectations" in contexts where high performance is already implicitly expected. Reserve it for truly remarkable instances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpassing expectations" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe an action or result that exceeds what was predicted or anticipated. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surpassing expectations" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe outcomes that exceed what was initially predicted or hoped for. Ludwig AI's analysis, including various examples from reputable sources, confirms its validity and versatility. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its use in reporting unexpected successes or achievements. To maximize impact, reserve its use for truly remarkable instances and ensure the original expectations are clear. Alternatives such as "exceeding anticipations" or "outperforming predictions" can add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding anticipations

Replaces 'expectations' with 'anticipations', offering a slightly more formal tone.

outperforming predictions

Focuses on the predictive aspect, implying that the actual result is better than what was predicted.

outstripping forecasts

Similar to outperforming predictions but uses a more vivid verb, 'outstripping'.

better than anticipated

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

going above and beyond

Implies that more effort or achievement was exerted than strictly necessary.

overdelivering on promises

Highlights the fulfillment of commitments to a degree greater than initially stated.

excelling beyond projections

Combines the idea of excellence with exceeding initial projections or estimates.

proving more successful than foreseen

A longer, more descriptive alternative that emphasizes the unexpected nature of the success.

demonstrating unexpected excellence

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the high level of performance.

achieving unforeseen heights

Suggests the attainment of levels not previously imagined or predicted.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "surpassing expectations"?

It means that the actual outcome or performance was better than what was initially predicted or hoped for. It indicates a positive surprise or achievement.

What are some alternatives to saying "surpassing expectations"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeding anticipations", "outperforming predictions", or "better than anticipated" depending on the context.

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

You can use it to describe a company's earnings ("The company's earnings are surpassing expectations"), an individual's performance ("Her performance this quarter is surpassing expectations"), or an event's success ("The event's attendance is surpassing expectations").

What is the difference between "meeting expectations" and "surpassing expectations"?

"Meeting expectations" means that something has achieved the anticipated level, while "surpassing expectations" means it has exceeded that level, indicating a higher degree of success or performance.