I defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I defeated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a victory over an opponent or challenge in various contexts, such as sports, games, or personal struggles. Example: "In the final match, I defeated my rival and secured the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I defeated Hillary Clinton.

The Guardian

"I defeated the old politics," he said.

The New York Times

For a brief, spider ass-kicking moment I defeated sexism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I defeated the one individual no one thought they could beat.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm convinced I defeated her using my Matrix-style moves; witnesses maintain she merely fell asleep.

The Guardian

Bermudo III recovered León after Sancho III's death, but Ferdinand I defeated and killed him in 1037.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

How do you and I defeat ourselves when we've only just begun?

Huffington Post

"I have strength now, like emotional strength because I have the support and that helps me because before I felt defeated and I felt hopeless.

BMC Women's Health

P ij is the proportion of wins by individual i in its interactions with another individual j, that is the number of times that i defeats j divided by the total number of interactions between i and j.

Animal Behaviour

I thought I'd defeated it in my teens.

Huffington Post

Had I been defeated?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I defeated" to clearly state a victory, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. Ensure the context provides enough information about who or what was defeated for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I defeated" when the context implies a minor or insignificant win. Choose a more appropriate term if the victory was not substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I defeated" functions as a declarative statement where the subject, 'I', asserts their successful triumph over an opponent or obstacle. Ludwig provides examples across various domains to show its proper usage, affirming it as a valid and common expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I defeated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a victory over an opponent or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with numerous examples from diverse sources, including news, encyclopedias, and online media. While "I defeated" is generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "I triumphed over" or "I prevailed over" can be considered for specific contexts. It’s important to ensure the context warrants the claim of victory and to avoid overstating minor achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I triumphed over

Replaces "defeated" with a more formal verb, "triumphed", suggesting a significant victory.

I was victorious against

Uses a more descriptive and slightly more formal way of stating the victory.

I conquered

Implies a more complete or comprehensive victory, often used in a metaphorical sense.

I overcame

Focuses on the act of successfully dealing with a challenge or obstacle.

I prevailed over

Emphasizes endurance and eventual success against opposition.

I won against

A simpler and more direct way of expressing victory.

I beat

An informal way to say "I defeated".

I subdued

Suggests bringing someone or something under control, a forceful type of victory.

I routed

Indicates a complete and decisive defeat of an opponent.

I vanquished

A literary and forceful term for defeating someone thoroughly.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "I defeated" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I triumphed over", "I was victorious against", or "I conquered" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "I defeated" in formal writing?

Yes, "I defeated" is generally appropriate, but for very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "I prevailed over" or "I overcame" for a more sophisticated tone.

Can "I defeated" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "I defeated" can be used metaphorically to describe overcoming a challenge or problem, not just a literal opponent. For instance, "I defeated my fear of public speaking."

What's the difference between "I defeated" and "I beat"?

"I beat" is a more informal way of saying "I defeated". While "I beat" is common in casual conversation, "I defeated" is generally more suitable for formal writing and speech.