the goal was exceeded

USAGE SUMMARY

'the goal was exceeded' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or a group attempting to reach a certain goal, and then surpassing that goal. For example: "The team set a high target at the outset of the project, but astonishingly, the goal was exceeded before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Within four days, the goal was exceeded, and Livingston went to a tattoo parlor to get his seventh tattoo.

The New York Times - Sports

At the end of 8 weeks, if the goal was exceeded as described "very occasional, <1 time a month", then a score of +1 would be obtained, and +2 if the goal of "no carer stress" was achieved.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Supporters sent in thousands of dollars after the shooting, and the fundraising goal was exceeded by more than $10,000 Wednesday morning.

Huffington Post

That goal was exceeded by $10,000, but coalition members began to have qualms about making the deposit.

The New York Times - Sports

If it gets funded, the game will be developed for PC and mobile devices, with other platforms potentially added if the funding goal is exceeded.

TechCrunch

To create a service based company whose #1 goal is exceeding customer's expectations.

Bplans

Create your own business plan Objectives Mother's House Cleaning Service's objectives for the first three years of operation include: To create a service based company whose #1 goal is exceeding customer's expectations.

Bplans

"The goal was to exceed bar food expectations," Fune said.

Los Angeles Times

"I had a great year, so they 'reward' me with a tougher goal, even though I've already captured most of my territory's potential". The discontent of top performers was exacerbated when they saw that their peers with a lower sales base (and therefore lower goals) were exceeding goals easily without working hard.

Harvard Business Review

In about an hour, the goal was met and exceeded.

Huffington Post

The goal is to exceed 23 percent this decade.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the goal was exceeded" when you want to emphasize that a specific target or objective has not only been met, but surpassed. This indicates a level of success greater than initially anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "the goal was exceeded" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying "The sales goal was exceeded by the team", consider "The team exceeded the sales goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the goal was exceeded" functions as a statement indicating that a predefined target or objective has been successfully surpassed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for conveying that a target has not only been met but surpassed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the goal was exceeded" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that a target or objective has been surpassed. Ludwig AI validates this usage. The phrase is versatile, appearing in both news and scientific contexts. While not overly common, with a "Rare" frequency, it effectively communicates a level of success beyond initial expectations. When using this phrase, consider more direct alternatives like "The team exceeded the goal" for active voice constructions. Overall, this phrase is appropriate when precision and emphasis on exceeding expectations are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the objective was surpassed

Replaces 'goal' with 'objective' and 'exceeded' with 'surpassed', maintaining a similar level of formality.

the target was exceeded

Uses 'target' as a synonym for 'goal', offering a slightly more direct tone.

the aim was surpassed

Substitutes 'goal' with 'aim', keeping the meaning consistent.

the expectation was exceeded

Shifts the focus to surpassing expectations rather than a specific goal.

the benchmark was exceeded

Replaces 'goal' with 'benchmark', suitable when referring to standards or metrics.

the quota was exceeded

Specifies that a set quota has been surpassed, suitable for sales or production contexts.

the limit was exceeded

Highlights that a pre-defined limit has been surpassed.

we overachieved our goal

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the act of overachieving.

the objective was overshot

Replaces 'exceeded' with 'overshot', implying going beyond the intended mark.

the milestone was surpassed

Uses 'milestone' instead of 'goal', implying that a key accomplishment was achieved ahead of schedule.

FAQs

What does it mean when "the goal was exceeded"?

It means that the target or objective that was initially set has not only been achieved but has been surpassed, indicating a greater level of success than anticipated.

Which is more appropriate, "the goal was exceeded" or "the goal was achieved"?

"The goal was achieved" simply means the target was met. "The goal was exceeded" implies that the initial target was surpassed, showcasing a higher degree of success.

How can I use "the goal was exceeded" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations where targets are not only met but surpassed. For example: "The fundraising goal was exceeded by 20%", or "Thanks to increased efficiency, the production goal was exceeded ahead of schedule".

What are some alternatives to saying "the goal was exceeded"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the objective was surpassed", "the target was exceeded", or "the limit was exceeded".